Willow Glen Resident
News
Historic marquee renews avenue
Residents celebrate, recall days of yore
By Mayra Flores De Marcotte
Two spotlights announced the arrival of a grand event on Lincoln Avenue. Duke's Northern California Car Club honored the moment with a 1939 Oldsmobile, 1937 Studebaker and 1940 pickup along the curb, while a crowd wandered in and out of the Garden Theater Mall waiting for the big moment.
For the first time in more than 10 years, the warm glow of orange, yellow and green neon lights was about to return to Willow Glen.
At 8:45 p.m. the people standing outside the theater turned their faces upward and smiled as the grand marquee was lit up.
Longtime Willow Glen resident Joan Bohnett had a huge grin as the reflection shone on her face.
"It is just like it was," said Bohnett, who came to the movies at the former theater as a young girl.
The neon lights went through their sequence, one leaf lighting up at a time, until the entire art deco sign was aglow.
The May 30 grand-reopening celebration of the Garden Theater-turned-business complex was symbolic of the community's increasing efforts to bring a sense of vibrancy back to downtown Willow Glen.
Current owners Michael Mulcahy and SDS NexGen Partners said they had plans to renovate the building and signage when they bought the property back in September 2005.
"The signage of the building is important for the tenants and restoring the marquee was priority because it is the emblem of Lincoln Avenue," Mulcahy said.
SDS NexGen Partners is a closely held real estate firm including managing partners, Shirlee DiNapoli Schiro and son Mulcahy, as well as siblings Brian and Tim Mulcahy, Erin Stein and Paula Keane.
"[Michael] Mulcahy has done a marvelous job of reconstructing the building," said James A. Lima, the original owner of the theater and a Willow Glen resident.
His father, James B., and sister, Beverly, opened the Garden Theater 57 years ago. He said when the theater was open, it was a focal point for the area.
"It's a landmark that identified Willow Glen," Lima said.
With the rejuvenation of the marquee, the theater will continue to give residents that identity.
"The theater gives people a sense of belonging to something from the past," Lima said.
Michael Borbely, president of the Palm Haven Neighborhood Association, is pleased with the changes made to the Willow Glen landmark.
"The Garden Theater hasn't looked that great for many years," Borbely said. "I have always been a booster of preserving the little bit of history that we have, so the restoration is a welcome change from the usual."
Borbely applauded the investment Mulcahy has made and hopes other building owners on Lincoln Avenue will adopt the idea.
"The controversy over tenants in the Garden Theater may have overshadowed what he has been doing," Borbely said. "It's a good investment, and I would like to see more of that in the downtown."
He said Lincoln Avenue suffers from a "blotchy" streetscape.
"There are bright spots here and there, and then there are buildings that aren't pleasing to the eye," Borbely said. "The theater is a big building, and it continues and connects the facades of Lincoln Avenue."
Like Lima, Mulcahy sees the building as a Willow Glen landmark and said having a sign in disrepair sends a negative message to both the community and visitors.
But Mulcahy knew the building had "potential."
"There are lots of doughnut-hole opportunities for new tenants on Lincoln Avenue," he said. "The Garden Theater represents a big part of that. Having it filled in with tenants such as Starbucks, Bella James and Sushi Kazoo, I hope it adds to the foot traffic and to people's desire to spend time on the avenue."
Along with added foot traffic and exposure for the businesses in the theater, Mulcahy said, "We are hoping to set an example as to how restoration and improvements could restore some energy to a property."
The restorations made to the theater are not only meant to have curb appeal but to also bring the community together.
The owners restored the old neon sign and the movie marquee, which will be used to advertise events such as the upcoming Dancin' on the Avenue and the farmers market.
"While it doesn't bring back the movies, it brings back community appeal," Mulcahy said.
But the movies haven't come to an end just yet. Mulcahy said he is still considering an outdoor cinema or the possibility of using the plaza area inside for special movie presentations.
Aglow Again: After going dark 10 years ago, the Garden Theater marquee has been restored to its former glory. The grand reopening of the theater-turned-mall May 30 included the lighting of the marquee.
Delicious Treats: At the grand reopening of the Garden Theater in Willow Glen, residents were treated to free ice cream with toppings courtesy of Willow Glen Frozen Yogurt Company. Kelly Lund (left) and Jackie Zabek were busy all night.
