Crest Theatre Hopes Classic Films, Booze Will Bring Back Golden Age

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – It's a classic venue now counting on classic films for a comeback.

The people now running the Crest Theatre are hoping "The Wizard of Oz" and other timeless films will bring back the crowds that once made this K Street cinema a landmark.

Yulya Borroum is the new Crest operator.

"I think it's just a matter of time before we can re-establish contacts and bring in people that used to live here," Borroum said.

The Crest stands in a section of downtown that's been surrounded by boarded up buildings. Now it's at the center of downtown revitalization.

Jim Curran grew up in Sacramento and used to head to the movies every weekend.

"Every Saturday for 25 cents, you get your little ticket punched and then after 50 weeks you get a free show," Curran said.

The new arena will stand a few blocks away from the theater. The Crest plans to try and attract some of those fans with a new restaurant inside – and alcoholic beverages customers can sip while watching the silver screen.

"I think it's a very important landmark and the more people we can bring in … the better for the city, and for the Crest," Borroum said.

The Crest Theatre is more than 100 years old. It opened in 1912 as the Empress Theatre.

Its new restaurant will be called the Empress Tavern.