PLEASE HELP to Keep the Lights Shining at the Palace!
By George Fritz of Mills Jewelers

This moment in time may prove to be one of the most important turning points in the history of our home town, Lockport, NY. Like many of these pivotal moments, we may not recognize the full importance of the position in which we find ourselves. A treasure of our community, The Historic Palace Theatre, is at the crossroads of two possible futures. One path leads to a glorious restoration destined to thrill generations to come. The other leads to a dark boarded up building with tales of regret and loss. The Palace is one of our last remaining treasures of an era that has passed us. We are all too familiar with the many other architectural treasures that we let slip away. The landmark theatre is also the shining beacon for community involvement, entertainment, and for the hope of a revitalized Downtown. Presiding as the centerpiece of our city, it reflects the heart and the character of our community.

The building is one of only a handful of similar theaters left in the country. Many other cities have not been as fortunate to preserve such a gem. It was a private developer, Elmer Granchelli, who purchased and saved the theater from doom back in 1972. While many other old theaters faded into history, Mr Granchelli has been successful in keeping our theater active. For that he deserves a thank you.

However it has been ownership that was standing in the way of the a viable future for the Palace. Privately owned buildings are not eligible for grants and public funding. This funding is desperately needed in order for the Palace Theatre to succeed. Major repairs and renovation are needed. Additionally, when owned by a not for profit organization, the Palace will be eligible for reduced utility rates and tax breaks. It’s a big building. Reduced overhead will enable the theater to increase the number of events and play an even larger role in bringing our community together.

The Historic Palace Theatre Inc., a not for profit corporation, has the opportunity to purchase the theater. The agreement has been signed. In addition, plans are in the works to embark on some needed renovations. If accomplished, this historic landmark will be preserved for our children’s children. For this dream to come true, the community must come together and help.

$300,000 must be raised by the first of this December to purchase the theatre and undertake the needed renovations. This may seem insurmountable, but it really amounts to just $6 a person if every city and town of Lockport resident chipped in. Hopefully there are many who will step up and become major donors. We know that the Palace is not just a treasure of Lockport residents. Newfane, Middleport, Gasport, Wilson, Barker, and every other Western New York community shares the love that we have for this architectural prize.

We have wallowed long enough in the regret of history lost with the mistakes of urban renewal. We know what happens when we look the other way. Now faced with this opportunity, we can embrace the future and give our children more than just a memory from our past. We can give them this treasure to experience first hand. We can show them what happens when a community comes together. It will take all of us to make it happen. With your support, we can keep the lights shining brightly at the Historic Palace Theatre. It can be done. Lets do it.

There are 4 levels of donations:

__Action ($500.00 and up)

__Camera ($250.00-$499.00)

__Lights ($100.00-$249.00)

__Supporter ($6.00-$99.00)

Checks should be made payable to "Historic Palace, Inc"

The Historic Palace is a not-for-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible.

Donors should include the following information:

Name___________________________________________

Address_________________________________________

City_____________________________________________

State___________________ Zip______________________

Phone (_________) _______________________________

Email___________________________________________

Mail donations to:
The Historic Palace Theatre
P.O. Box 19
Lockport, NY 14095

THANK YOU!