Blacksburg could be home to a new I-Max theatre sometime next year.
At Bull and Bones Restaurant in Blacksburg Wednesday morning, David Street, with "Blacksburg APF Partners", "First and Main's" third owner, stood in front of the room and said clearly, "Today we officially move to the next phase of First and Main and we're no longer burdened by what's gone wrong here in the past. We are going to concentrate what's going right."
What may go right, are plans to put a 12 screen cinema, a bowling alley, restaurant and an I-Max theatre on land that's sat vacant for years.
And it's not just the land, we counted more than a dozen vacant store fronts on this 24 acre tract.
After years of failed promises that "First and Main" would transform the south end of town, some current tenants want proof, including "Bull and Bones" owner John Coburn. "My only hope would be that everything they said today happens. When you're talking about an I-Max theatre in a place like Blacksburg, I don't think anyone in Blacksburg, Virginia ever imagined something as large as an I-Max theatre."
Years ago, then developer "Fairmount Properties", said "First and Main" could not survive without a big box anchor. The town fought the idea and won. Today, when someone wants underwear or socks, they drive to the big box stores in Christiansburg, increasing that town's tax base.
When asked if a big box store might be in the plans, Street, the new co-owner didn't want to talk about it, "We're not going to talk about this. Thank you I really appreciate your time."
Big box or not, "First and Main" has "new" big plans, again- on cardboard anyway. Construction is set to begin in the Spring.
Blacksburg, home to I-Max?
New Owner says "First and Main" will get cinema
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Comments (3)
Add / View comments | Discussion FAQFantastic. First and Main - in its partially completed state - still draws me for shopping and dining. It is amazing to see new ownership with local ties and the financing that's becoming available can potentially realize the completed project. Having the Cinema and Entertainment aspect will draw many more patrons and we will see momentum rapidly build in filling the rest of the center. It's a great piece of our local community and it will be great to see it done.
I think this is terrific news for that shopping center. I'm glad the new developers are taking the time to revitalize the shoppinga center and help out in making the promises that Fairmount failed to provide. I would love to spend more of my money locally, just need the venues to do it!
A Dave n Busters needs to come to Roanoke. I see no reason why there can't be one based on its population in and around the city. Nearest one is in Richmond so it should be looked at, perhaps news7 can do a article on it and talk to the owners of the company about a placement?
