Historic Dayton area theater has 16,093 reasons to celebrate

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

The folks behind one of the Dayton area’s oldest movie theaters have 16,093 new feathers for their cap.

The historic Plaza Theatre, 33 S. Main St. in downtown Miamisburg, has hit the attendance goal it established before reopening in 2015, according to a note from board member Doug Sorrell. 
>> PHOTOS: Look inside Miamisburg's historic Plaza Theatre

“Thank you to everyone for everything you have done for the Historic Plaza Theatre and our community,” Sorrell said in an email to supporters.

The Plaza Theatre first opened on Christmas Day 1919.

It closed as a movie house in 1968 due partly to competition from television, according to a history story by Dayton.com contributor Tom Gilliam.

>> Miamisburg’s historic Plaza Theatre is chock-full of history

Sorrell’s family moved its business, The Western Shop, to the Plaza’s business in 1969. The shop was renamed Sor-rell's and operated in the location until it closed in 2002 under other owners.

>> What is Dayton’s best movie theater? Cast your vote. 

The building  was vacant until 2015, when Plaza Theatre Association and Downtown Miamisburg Inc., began a $350,000 renovation project after raising funds for a year.

Restored, the 285-seat theater re-opened on Christmas Day 2015 with the movie "Field of Dreams.”

It's attendance goals were as follows, according to the note from Sorrell, a finalist in Dayton.com's best of Dayton contest in the best "do-gooder" category:

• 2016 goal. 12,000 Actual:  11,779 +/-

• 2017 goal. 14,000. Actual:  15,388

• 2018 goal. 16,000. Attendance 16,093 as of Sunday, Dec. 10

About 20 more days remain in the year.

>> Who is Dayton’s best do-gooder? Cast your votes

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