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Friday, Oct 26, 2007 - 12:08 AM Updated: 09:15 AM

Conservator Carol Boyers Givens brushes the 1937 Simplex projector on display at the Henrico Theatre. It is one of two used when the theater opened in 1938. Photo By: ALEXA WELCH EDLUND Article Tools Email a Friend Reader Reaction RSS digg it Printer Friendly Mobile Alerts Sphere IT Save This Page RELATED • SLIDESHOW If you go Henrico Theatre grand re-opening When: Tomorrow, 1-4 p.m. Where: 305 E. Nine Mile Road Admission: Free What: Entertainment, children's activities, tours 1 p.m. ChurchYard Grass 1:30 p.m. Patsy Butler 2 p.m. Dedication ceremony 2:30 p.m. Highland Springs High School Concert Choir 3 p.m. Henrico Theater Company 3:30 p.m. East End Brass Upcoming performances Music with The Whitlocks, Nov. 10, 10:30 a.m. Richmond Ballet Minds in Motion, Nov. 17, 10:30 a.m. Richmond Swing Orchestra, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m. Barefoot Puppet Theatre, "The Little Bread Hen," Dec. 8, 10:30 a.m. Henrico Concert Band's holiday concert, Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m. LIVING HERE Learn more about Henrico County, get more community news and post your news in our Blog.

By JUAN ANTONIO LIZAMA
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

The historic Henrico Theatre opens tomorrow, and nearby business owners and county officials see it as a catalyst for good economic times ahead for the Highland Springs area.

"It's great for the community," said Michael Frith, co-owner of Michael's Auto Sales, across the street from the white-painted theater on 305 E. Nine Mile Road. "It might help as far as revitalizing the businesses out here."

The 400-seat theater's grand re-opening -- the result of a $5.8 million renovation, restoration and expansion -- is tomorrow, 1-4 p.m. The event will feature live entertainment and is free to the public.

"We're looking forward to see what it looks like in the inside," said Deborah Loving, manager of Williams Bakery, next door.

She has noticed that the theater's clock is working now, and she is excited to see the restored marquee. Growing up in the '50s, she used to go to the movies there.

"It looks really nice, I can't wait to see it all together," she said.

Russell Talley Jr., owner of Talley's Auto Service next door, also recalled afternoons he spent in the theater.

"I grew up here as a kid watching a lot of movies there for 50 cents," the 52-year-old said.

He said he is glad to see the building restored, rather than torn down. It will benefit not just Highland Springs, Talley said, but also the rest of eastern Henrico County.

"It's good for my business to have people come back to the area," he said.

Neil Luther, Henrico's assistant director of recreation and parks, said the Nine Mile corridor where the theater sits is crowded with small businesses and is an enterprise zone.

"There's been a lot of ongoing activity to sort of reinvest in and revitalize the corridor," he said. "There's a lot of synergy taking place out there. We're happy to be a part of it."

About 3 miles from the theater is the Shops at White Oak Village, a $160-million development on Laburnum Avenue, near the Interstate 64 intersection, is under construction. The mall in the 136-acre property, scheduled to open next year, will feature major retail stores such as J.C. Penny, Circuit City and Lowe's and a 140-room Hyatt Place Hotel.

"That's going to bring more people," Loving said. "That's going to bring us in step with everybody else."

On Wednesday, crews put a last coat of paint on the lobby walls, cleaned the glass doors and vacuumed the carpets. They tested the lights and sound system.

"That's kind of been my project this week, making sure that everything works for Saturday," said site manager John Zannino, over the noise of running vacuums.

The theater first opened in 1938. During tomorrow's event, people will have the chance to walk around the theater to see its colorful walls decorated with pictures of movie celebrities of the '30s and '40s, the solid red and patterned carpets that match the original design and the theater's restored art deco details.

"It will blow you away," said Varina Supervisor James B. Donati Jr.

Among vintage objects on display will be a movie projector donated by Randy Horne, whose father, Charles E. Horne, operated the theater from 1976 until his death in 1992. The county bought the building in 1999.

"If you frequented the place in the 1930s, it's going to bring back memories," said Amy Perdue, cultural-arts coordinator for Henrico.

Frith said he saw many movies there in the early '80s. He said the last movie to play to a full house at the theater was "Breakin'" in 1984 -- about a struggling jazz dancer who meets break dancers.

Performances are lined up through December with a schedule that offers music, dance and drama. The building will also be available to rent.

Frith has a question about movies, when they come back: "Is it still going to be a dollar?"

Movies aren't on the immediate schedule, but the plan is that in the near future people will be able to see classic movies for $1.

"Bring back the movies," Talley said. "I'm ready to go sit down and watch."
Contact Juan Antonio Lizama at (804) 649-6513 or jlizama@timesdispatch.com.