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CLOUDY Temp: 47 °F Wind: S at 3 mph Monday, April 21, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend January 11, 2003 Arthur Alfinito, owner of the Holly Theatrecq, says his building is safe. He continues to seek a way to refurbish the 1930s-era building, which the city closed in mid-December for fear its roof might collapse. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Theater building reopens By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune At the Holly Theatre, it’s business as usual. "I’m thrilled to get back in," said Tim Tidball, who returned to his photography studio Friday. "I’m anxious to get my business going again." Tidball is one of the seven tenants given word it was safe to move back into the building they had been ordered to vacate three weeks ago. Arthur Alfinito, owner of the building, said he knows some businesses took a financial hit when they were ordered to move out because of a failing roof. "It’s unfortunate," said Alfinito, adding that some of the businesses had to scramble to not lose customers. He said one of his tenants, J.J. Moon, owner of First Choice Staffing, will re-locate because of the negative impact on her business. However, he added, the timing of the closure worked well for others because it was during the holidays. "Sue Parker (a photographer) went on vacation," he said. After a damaged roof truss was discovered Dec. 18, the building’s seven tenants were ordered to vacate. The Holly Theatre, on the corner of Sixth and Holly streets, was built in 1930 and was the scene of live entertainment as well as films until its closure in 1986. Alfinito purchased the building in 1996, and was debating restoration funding possibilities when he learned of the broken truss. He said he’s reviewing plans to reinforce the broken truss with steel plates, and said it’s too soon to say how much money the truss repair will cost, let alone how much restoration would cost. "We gotta go on for securing it to upgrade it seismically," he said. "Then we hope maybe we can get someone to operate — for old movies, live shows, amateur performances, a lecture hall. "I would like a citizen effort to save the Holly." For now, the city’s satisfied from a safety standpoint. Chris Reising, Medford building safety director, said the support that is in place is capable of supporting the normal roof load. It could not support a heavy load of snow, for example, he said, but engineers have determined that the two columns of crisscrossed beams and the two scaffolding-like supports in place are enough to allow for further inspection of the 40-foot high ceiling. In the meantime, it was good enough to call back the tenants. It was a call Deanna Del Biaggio was glad to get. "I was just elated; I was like: thank you, thank you, thank you," said Del Biaggio, owner of Shaggy D’s Hair and Beard Studio for Men and Femme Fatale, which sells vintage clothing. Del Biaggio, who has been trimming hair in a colleague’s salon until she could move back in, said she never considered renting somewhere else. "I’m not much of a mover," said Del Biaggio, who has occupied the same space for eight years. "And plus, I believe in loyalty to people." She said that she won’t have her first client in her old spot until Tuesday morning. It will take the whole weekend to reheat the space, since the heat had been turned off, she said. Tidball, the photographer, said it will be nice to move back in, especially since people are beginning to book for weddings. "I haven’t had my studio, so I’ve been having to meet at coffee shops," he said. Alfinito said he’s been working on bringing back the Holly Theatre for seven years, and has big dreams. "What Shakespeare does for Ashland, we could do for Medford," he said. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S