Main Street Theater in Columbiana has been entertaining people for more than seven decades - and plans to continue the tradition into the future - after recently being sold.

According to the Columbiana County Auditor's website, Roman Bradford Corporation purchased the theater on March 29 for $850,000.

According to a media release, SP Co., the parent company of CompCo, and Roman Bradford Corporation, both of Columbiana, said the purchase was facilitated through a collaborative effort by owners John and Beth Kufleitner of RonJon Investments V, the Roman Bradford Corporation, the city of Columbiana, and the Columbiana Cultural Collective.

The venue will now be managed by the Columbiana Community Theater under the ownership of SP Co.

The new owners plan to continue the Squeaky Wheel Production Company's special needs theater, a non-profit organization created by Erich Offenburg and Kathy Keaggy in 2022.

The release stated, " ...We look forward to ushering in a new era of arts and culture in Columbiana, ensuring the Main Street Theater remains a beloved destination for generations to come."

The building has been sold four times in the last 25 years. In 2009, the Arthurs family were the current owners and poured $1,000,000 into renovations. When the theater shut down because of the pandemic, the owners at the time said they were at-risk of closing for good due to not being able to keep up with expenses. In January of 2022, the venue was sold to RonJon Investments V.

Since it was built in 1952, the theater has always been privately owned but the city recognizes its importance to the community. 

“It's an anchor in our downtown,” Lance Willard, the Columbiana City manager, said. “Theater is very important to small communities and when we have one that’s vibrant like this it’s a wonderful thing.”