New Hanover Theater could bring boon

By ASHLEY ADAMS, Evening Sun Reporter, October 13, 2007

     Tom Harris thinks somebody needs to step out of the box and bring something different to downtown Hanover.
     And the co-owner of Stylemaker Interiors thinks that is exactly what a renovation to the Hanover Theater will do.
     "I think it could bring some excitement down here," Harris said.
     Downtown business owners were thrilled to hear the news that someone had bought and planned to re-open the Hanover Theater on Frederick Street.
     David Leske, a 39-year-old from Richmond, Va., recently confirmed he is part of a group, Historic Hanover Theater LLC, that is in the process of restoring the theater for a December 2008 opening.
     Leske said it is his intention to provide entertainment at the theater that will include dramas, musicals, improv and comedy.
     "This is just one more very key cornerstone building in the Hanover area coming back to life," Harris said.
     Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce President Gary Laird said the theater has always been a primary point of discussion when it came to revitalizing the downtown area.
     "This will definitely benefit the downtown," Laird said. "That is the most talked about piece of property downtown."
     And there could be some grant opportunities for Leske to get some funding to fix up the theater.
     Laird said that although the project won't benefit from the Main Street program the Chamber hopes to initiate in the downtown, there are other avenues for assistance. But first, Laird said, he has to check to see if the theater is on the state's historic registry.
     And the historic nature of the building might be what draws people to it, said Steve Skibicki, owner of Hanover Clock Shop on Carlisle Street.
     "I like the old theater," he said. "It's representative of the past. The place is an eyesore as it is now. Renovations would make it look better than it does now."
     But Skibicki isn't sure if it will draw the needed business to downtown.
     "With the new theaters they have nowadays, I don't know how it could draw the crowds," he said.
     Harris thinks differently.
     "There is a very artsy young crowd in this area," Harris said. "They are just crying out for a place to provide live music. Not everyone wants to go to a bar."
     But one thing the downtown does need if it's going to support a theater crowd is somewhere for the patrons to go after the show, Harris said.
     "I think it will bring extra business downtown, but we need a restaurant or little sandwich shop for people to go to," Harris said.
     Regardless if it brings a business boom or a small trickle of patrons to the downtown, Harris thinks its a great idea for Hanover.
     "It sure isn't going to be a bad thing," Harris said of the renovations. "It's exciting. I wish the new owner all the luck in the world with it."

 Contact Ashley Adams at aadams@eveningsun.com