THE USDA PROJECT WE’VE FINALLY DONE IT! Thanks to the generous support of the Toccoa City Commission and grant funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Historic Ritz Theatre is now beautifully and meticulously renovated. We began the renovation of the Ritz in 2012 in conjunction with the Currahee Arts Council, and when the City acquired the theatre in 2014, we increased efforts considerably. Beginning with a Fox Theatre Institute-funded market plan and an Historic Preservation Division-funded preservation plan, we’ve been able to restore the exterior façade, renovate the auditorium and lobby, install an historically-inspired marquee, implement a state-of-the-art sound system, and this year, restore the balcony and renovate the basement and plaza. In the balcony, you’ll find 90 hand-restored seats. The seats in the balcony are 80 years old – and they look like they were created yesterday! There may be a scratch or two along their backs… but be assured that that’s intentional. From the colors of the fabric, to the springs used in their repair, each seat has been hand-worked to its original integrity. The balcony also includes historically-inspired carpeting, safety upgrades, and a new sound booth.
LIVING ON MAIN STREET • 28
