NICOLE LESSIN [email protected]
Last summer, when the Howard Theater at 308 N. Main Street went up for sale, Channing Kingery-Boles felt certain it would get snapped up right away.
“My first thought was, ‘Wow, wouldn’t it be so great if someone bought that?’” said Kingery-Boles, who has owned Taylor Soap Bar since December 2021. “How wonderful would that be for us downtown business owners, the surrounding cities? I really thought someone would jump on it.”
However, after months of the historic venue just sitting there, Kingery-Boles decided to take matters into her own hands by attempting to buy the theater herself. Through an owner financed deal, Kingery-Boles is hoping to use a combination of her own money, crowdfunding from smallmoney donors, as well as possible corporate sponsorships, other investors and even grants.
“I saw a post that someone should turn it into an antique mall,” she recalled of the 100-year-old building. “And I just thought ‘No! I don’t want that to happen.”
Kingery-Boles, who has since researched other historic theater renovations, formed an LLC, developed a website and has launched two fund raising campaigns, has set a Nov. 22 deadline to raise about $200,000 for a down payment on the property and the first year of costs, despite very long odds.
Taylor Soap Bar Owner Channing Kingery-Boles poses in front of the Howard Theater in October.
Courtesy photo
So far, only about $17,000 has been raised after the first week of the campaign, Kingery-Boles said.
But Herb Stratford, president of Historic Theatre Consultants, which has spearheaded renovation projects for landmark theaters in 16 states across the country, said the idea is not so far-fetched.
“There are different models for funding, and what we always encourage is a mixture of public and private,” Stratford said. “A lot of times these things start as sort of a grass roots, Kickstarter campaign to get control of the building. What we always tell our clients is that the very first step is to get control of your building because a lot of people are like, ‘There is this great theater. I want to fix it up.’ But … you need to own it first before you spend any money on anything.”
Andrew Gonzales, the owner of Taylor Sporting Goods, thinks despite the uphill battle, if anyone can do it, Kingery-Boles can.
“It’s great that somebody is taking the initiative to try to revitalize a historic building, especially a building like the Howard that has been a staple for Taylor for so many years,” Gonzales said. “I can’t think of another person that is better suited for this.”
Isabella Tebeau said she would like to see the effort succeed.
“Taylor has lost so many historic landmarks, from our beautiful train station to city hall and the old hospital, just to name a few,” Tebeau said. “Those, and many other great buildings, deteriorated to a point where they couldn’t be revived anymore. The Howard Theatre is a viable part of Taylor’s history. It would be great if it could be saved so it can be a part of Taylor’s future.”
Nevertheless, Kingery-Boles said she initially has had to weather some criticism from people online who have taken issue with the fact that the building would be owned by her, despite the fact the money raised would only be a fraction of the estimated $1.5 million it would take to get it restored and up and running.
“I am not expecting massive amounts of money from just a few people,” Kingery-Boles said. “I don’t expect someone to write me a $5,000 check. I’m hoping for a $500 check, and I am going to sell a seat and put your name on it. I am expecting $1 donations, $5 donations and $10 dollar donations.”
But lately, Kingery-Boles said even some of the critics have turned into supporters after she has thoroughly answered their questions.
“If people give you vinegar, give them sugar,” she said. “If someone has an opposition, don’t just argue with them. Listen and figure out what it is they want to know.”
Besides, Kingery-Boles said if she doesn’t raise a significant portion of the down payment in time, all of the money raised will be immediately returned.
“I’m trying to do everything I possibly can, but if it doesn’t work, at least I will know I gave it my all,” she said.
For his part, Gonzales said he wishes the community would rally behind her.
“I think if people just get behind her, this could be something successful,” Gonzales said. “All she is doing is trying to raise the money. If she doesn’t, then she is giving it all back. So,
