TAKING THE BUY WAY Tips for buying an existing business in small-town B.C. By Lisa Manfield
The Royal Theatre in Trail, B.C. Photo: Tourism Rossland
When Lisa Milne left her fashion career to join her now-husband in Trail more than 15 years ago, she had no idea she would eventually become the owner of a nearly 100-year-old single-screen theatre. But five years after settling into her new home, she bought the languishing business and gave up her secure union job to revamp and run it. “We were looking for an investment opportunity,” Milne says. “The owners were willing to sell on the condition that we keep it running as a theatre.” Milne agreed, and the rest is history. “We bought it and I fell in love with it. I realized that this was what I wanted to do.” Since then, Milne has invested nearly a million dollars into restoring the Royal, including upgrading to digital and 3D capabilities, allowing her to show first-run movies, live opera and ballet, as well as film festivals. Milne says, “That has been one of our biggest successes.” Until the pandemic hit theatres, hard. Milne has pivoted to popcorn sales to keep staff employed, and has used forced-closure time for upgrades: recliner seats, a 50-foot screen, a new HVAC system, new washrooms, an expanded lobby and online ticketing. The community has been fully supportive of the revamp and pandemic pivot, in part because Milne took the time to establish
herself in Trail and get involved. “Over the years I’ve sat on boards and committees to help grow this region. I’ve talked to other entrepreneurs and have seen their struggles,” she says. “From Rossland to Fruitvale, there’s not a business that wouldn’t know us or that we haven’t collaborated with. We’re all in this together.”
Lisa Milne is ready for Trail’s close-up. Photo: Tourism Rossland
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Right Sizing
Spring 2021
