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Grand Venues buys Paramount Theater
posted by
wolfgirl500
on
May 4, 2006 at 5:21 am
YOUNGSTOWN, OH — The Vindicator reports that Grand Venues, an Illinois developer, purchased the old Paramount Theater and will restore it for live stage shows, and a two screen theater.
The main floor will be for the live shows seating 300 to 600, while the balcony will be converted into a twin theater for first run, historical and cult films.
The work is expected to take three years to complete at a cost of around $3.5 million.
Comments (23)
Grand Venues.
Huh.
Intriguing?
I’ll believe it when I see it. I don’t know of one theatre these guys have successfully restored. I do know of a long list of people who say that Grand Venues has ripped them off.
If you take a look at that theater, $3.5 million won’t even get the front doors open. It’s in bad shape.
There are interior pictures on the Paramount Theatre page. You are right: it is a ruin. I’ve never seen decay severe enough to expose structural trusses before.
Interesting situation.
Here is the CT page for the Paramount. I’ll be very impressed if Grande Venues pulls this one off. I think most people on this site have expressed their feelings about this company may times already; if we could refrain from treading that worn ground again, I think we’d all be better off.
I don’t know the theater or the Youngstown area very well at all, but this is defenitey great news! A theater has been saved!
Are there extrerior pix anywhere?
IF we are talking the Grand Venues of the Paul and Mike company, i feel sad for the town AND the people the use and abuse, we all know about them, not one theater have they made work and have ripped many people off along the way,
Rick, I’ll put a picture of the exterior up on my website at http://farrell-report.tripod.com, but as you will see when you get there, I can’t leave it up for too very long, so please let me know when you have viewed it.
Thanks much
The website above doesn’t seem to work. Trying again
http://farrell-report.tripod.com
Hopefully this will work.
I see the picture. Thank you wolfgirl! :)
It didn’t take too much research on Grand Venues to figure out where this project will be headed. I hope the people of Youngstown do the same. These guys sound like a couple of snakes.
So far the local media seems to be taking a wait-see attitude. Others have stepped forward wanting to restore the theater, but failed. Right now the city is in no position to put up any money to help fund the project having poured a bundle into the Chevy Center.
The building, as photos will show is in horrorable condition, and to think that $3.5 million could do the job is simple unrealistic, so it would seem that the city would be asked to put up money, and hopefully it will take the same position that it took with previous proposals.
It would be nice to have another theater downtown, but given the condition of the building in question, this is not the one.
The old State Theater is in better condition than the Paramount, and even that building would take more than 3.5 million to restore.
I realize that much of what has been said about GVI on this site is heresay, but I have a hard time believing that 3.5 million is enough for this project.
I hope for Youngstown that it works, but considering all the past drama from GVI, I would be very cautious.
For those wishing to view the exterior photo of the Paramount, I have moved it to Page 2 of my web site. Because of the need for space, I will be taking it down Sunday, but if you would like to have a copy, e-mail me at and I’ll forward it to you.
For those who haven’t seen it yet, it’s at
http://farrell-report.tripod.com
Have a great day.
Speak now people of Youngstown. say NO to these idiots, and save yourselves from being ripped off. Gand Venues means grand ripoffs.
Norelco
Personal vendetta against Grande Venues? We, the people of Youngstown are thrilled with the idea. What is the fury behind your conviction?
no personel just business,, we you are taken then you will know, unless of coarse you are one of them with a different name
I find it fascinating that Warshauer is in this deal with a parking company (USA Parking, Cleveland). Read this article to understand my fascination:
View link
March 31, 2004
Chicago Tribune
Inside Commercial Real Estate: Parking firm sues Warshauer
By Thomas Corfman
In published accounts, Paul Warshauer has portrayed himself as an underdog fighting the city bureaucracy in efforts to reopen the shuttered Portage Park Theater on the Northwest Side.
But Standard Parking Corp. alleges the entrepreneur falsely claimed connections with the Chicago-based firm to defraud a theater company into giving him a small lease deposit, according to a lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court.
The deposit was for space in the historic Uptown Broadway Building, 4703-15 N. Broadway, which Warshauer allegedly did not control. The theater group, Annoyance Productions Inc., also sued him, winning a $4,000 default judgement, court records show.
Warshauer denied improperly taking the deposit, but said he will work things out with the theater group.
Standard alleges that Warshauer is a “distant relative” of the company’s founding family, but has never been affiliated with the firm. Warshauer said he’s a first cousin who worked for the firm earlier in his career. He denies claiming current ties to the firm, adding, “I don’t like Standard Parking.”
You can see multiple views of the exterior of the Paramount Theater in DowntownYoungstown.com’s Image Gallery here:
View link
More pics to come as well with the recent interest!
First time I have seen outside pictures of the theatre. Hmmm, very nice. From those pictures from IDORAFAN, it does look very restorable. BUT, I have seen pictures of the inside of this gem and it looks like a bomb was detonated on the interior. It will take big big big bucks to get this building operational again. BUT! if it can be done, this will be one of the real beauties.
JG
First time I have seen outside pictures of the theatre. Hmmm, very nice. From those pictures from IDORAFAN, it does look very restorable. BUT, I have seen pictures of the inside of this gem and it looks like a bomb was detonated on the interior. It will take big big big bucks to get this building operational again. BUT! if it can be done, this will be one of the real beauties.
JG
Hello everyone.
I’m co-owner of Patrons of Youngstown Arts, which supports historical theaters as well as theatre groups in the downtown area. I have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Paul Warshauer, first off I would like to say that my organization in no way is affiliated with his, we are two separate organizations and at this point- doing two different projects.
My question to you all is- I am doing a little research on Grand Venues, Good & Bad- does anyone have any information, legal battles etc on this organization? If you could please e-mail me at I would be more than pleased to talk to you further!
Thanks Again!
Jaime Hughes
www.youngstowntheaters.i8.com
Hello Jaime,
Read this:
/theaters/5231/
It is a LONG post on the Lawford Theatre
Next read:
/theaters/69
/theaters/437
You be the judge.