Vernon Freshco store presents Towne Theatre with $4,000 cheque

Photo: Contributed

Sean Watson can remember going to movies at the Towne Theatre when he was a young lad in the 1980s.

So, the Vernon Freshco manager jumped at the chance to help the historic venue that was recently taken over by the Okanagan Screen Arts Society.

On Thursday, Watson presented the society with a cheque for $4,000 to help the theatre that, at one point, was in danger of closing its doors.

"It was a great resource for us as kids, and there is a lot of history here in this building," Watson said of the theatre that first opened its doors in 1929.

"The community has supported it and kept it going, so we felt we needed to do our part."

Watson said as a business he felt it important to support “a piece of community that is that historic and that important.”

Susan Hodgson, with the society, said community support plays an important role in keeping the theatre operating.

"It's really good to see everybody back," Hodgson said in the wake of the Towne's reopening last week.

"Now that we are open again, I have heard so many people say 'Oh my gosh, I am so happy. We want to see the downtown kept vibrant.'"

The theatre is also hosting a film festival this weekend. For a full list of shows and times, click here.