The city of Searcy has now taken over management responsibilities of the Rialto Theater, located in downtown Searcy. Known for its Art Deco style and neon marquee, the theater is expected to be restored to its former condition by Main Street Searcy.
The Rialto has undergone major renovations over the past two years. The building and property have been owned by the city of Searcy for several years and were managed by the recently retired Victor Weber, who spent 24 years of managing the Rialto.
Amy Burton, executive director of Main Street Searcy, believes the change in management will be a positive change for the city.
“It’s a natural fit. With it being a city owned property, it’s a natural progression for the Parks and Recreation Department to take on this project,” Burton said. “They can manage this building, like they do their other facilities. Whether it’s the swimming pool, the Carmichael Center, or city parks, they already have that infrastructure in place to manage the property.”
There will be plenty of renovations, but the city is hoping to keep the vintage and historical atmosphere, according to the Parks and Recreation Department. They believe this will attract more people to the theater, along with its budget-friendly prices.
Since it is a “second-run” theater, the city does not have to pay for recent movies. The Rialto shows movies months after their release date, which makes ticket prices very affordable.
Mike Parsons, department head of Searcy Parks and Recreation, said ticket prices will remain the same and they will offer $1 movies on Tuesday nights and Saturday matinees. Parsons is looking to expand the variety of concessions, but would prefer to keep them at a reasonable price. The city wants to provide a service to the community, rather than focusing on making a profit.
“The Parks and Recreation Department will be able to utilize the theater more for the children that take part in the city activities,” Burton said. “It will be more of a multipurpose use, and having the flexibility with it being owned by the city will open it up to a lot more activities.”
Harding students have benefited from the Rialto in recent years. Multiple social clubs, including women’s social clubs Pi Theta Phi and Ju Go Ju have held functions at the theater within the past two months. Junior Parker Samuel attended the PTP function in early December and said the Rialto would be a great venue for future functions.
“It’s local and so close to campus. With so many functions being 40 minutes away, it’s a place you can drive and even walk to,” Samuel said. “It’s a cool venue, and I think if they do some minor updates, it will definitely be more attractive for function events.”
There are still renovations to be made, but the Rialto is scheduled to start playing movies within the next few weeks.
