We finally get to share the news! On Thursday, April 29th we signed the papers and made it official. The Levelland Wallace Theater is growing! We have purchased the building that was Levelland’s beloved Honeycomb Pie Shoppe next door to the Wallace.
This has been a dream for a long time and has always been part of the hopeful vision for the Wallace. Going all the way back to 2002, our founder, my dad, George Keeling had a vision for the Wallace that it would once again show movies and host live stage performances.
Historically, the Wallace was solely a movie house and did not have much need for a dressing room/green room. With George’s vision to include live stage performances, he knew there would be a need for additional space. Once he purchased the Wallace he talked with Gail Kennedy and said if you ever decide to sell, please let me know.
In 2020, when Gail made the announcement that she would be closing the Levelland Honeycomb Pie Shoppe and moving her sandwich and pie business to BG’s Food Mart in Whiteface, we were so sad to see our wonderful neighbor go but hopeful for the opportunity to purchase the building and fulfill this part of the dream.
Gail remembered George’s request and the rest is now history.
On a very personal note, Gail like me had a father who was one of the absolute best. He loved her dearly and taught her how to run a successful business. I know that he would be so proud of all that she has done and accomplished and the way she serves her customers and her community. Gail and The Honeycomb were the best neighbors. We always knew where to go for lunch, we loved the Chocolate Pie, the Millionaire Pie, the Coconut Pie… the Key Lime Pie… Ok we loved them all!! And her Reubens are famous!
The purchase of this property is a gift from Gail in that it is keeping my dad’s vision for the Wallace true to his intent.
It also feels like a gift directly from him.
It was something I had begun to hope for as I and other board members have envisioned all of the ways it would allow the Wallace to provide better service and more opportunities to the community.
Yes, it will host films and live stage performances, but the even bigger vision includes all of the opportunities we have to be partners in education with Levelland ISD, South Plains College, Sundown, Whiteface, Smyer, Whitharrel, Ropesville, Anton, and all of the small towns within a 60-mile radius of Levelland. The long-term vision and plans are BIG!
On behalf of the Wallace Theater Board of Directors, thank you first and foremost to our donors, each and every individual who has contributed of their treasure, talent, and time, YOU are the reason this growth is possible!
Thank you to the Wallace Board of Directors and committee members who have given so graciously of their time and wisdom: Tania Moody, Denver Bruner, Sarah Osburn, Lorie Marquez, Joe Bill Vardeman, Joe Tubb, Dolf Guardiola, Nicole Campbell, Trey Saldana, Meg Davis, Iris Keeling, Steve Wright, and Dean Loehr.
Thank you Gail for being a friend. You are a businesswoman and owner I admire. Thank you for joining us and being a part of this BIG vision we are all working together to bring to fruition.
So, what’s next? Tania Moody, Board President said, “Oh we have plenty of surprises ahead! You just keep your eye on the Wallace, there is a lot more in store for you!”
Read the Press Release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Alycyn Keeling, Executive Director
Alycyn@WallaceTheater.com | 806-789-9097
THE WALLACE THEATER IS GROWING!
THE LEVELLAND WALLACE THEATER, A 501C3 NON-PROFIT, HAS PURCHASED 819 HOUSTON STREET, FORMERLY THE HONEYCOMB PIE SHOPPE.
The Levelland Wallace Theater was established as a non-profit organization in 2015 with the intent to renovate and restore the theater and the vision to “Create Experiences that Entertain, Inspire and Empower!” Over the past 5 and a half years the Wallace has been successfully raising funds for renovation projects with the help and generosity of individuals in the community and area foundations.
The Levelland Wallace Theater Board of Directors is committed to complete the restoration and renovation of the Wallace Theater in the next three years as the premier boutique venue for arts & cultural educational opportunities, live performance, and film experiences because everyone deserves access to these opportunities in an outstanding environment.
“The opportunity to expand the Wallace has always been a part of the vision for this project. Before my dad passed away he told me that he had talked with Gail about the opportunity to purchase her building if she ever decided to sell. He had the foresight so long ago. He envisioned live performance and knew we would need to find ways to accommodate those performers with adequate dressing rooms. The Wallace Board is excited to help fulfill this next part of the dream.” said Alycyn Keeling, Executive Director
Why now? This was an opportunity the Wallace did not expect to have for 10 years or more, but it became available now and we knew it was something we must take advantage of.
The Wallace Theater expansion will allow us to increase our program and service offerings and create additional opportunities for income to make the Wallace sustainable long term. Initially, this will solve the need for dressing room space close to the stage area for our performers.
It will allow us to better serve our patrons with additional meeting and classroom space, provide much-needed storage for theatrical sets and props, and when it comes to concessions that we currently do well, it will allow us to do it even better.
So, what’s next? Tania Moody, Board President said, “Oh we have plenty of surprises ahead! You just keep your eye on the Wallace, there is a lot more in store for you!”
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ABOUT THE HISTORIC WALLACE THEATRE
Board and Committee Members: Tania Moody, Denver Bruner, Sarah Osburn, Lorie Marquez, Joe Bill Vardeman, Joe Tubb, Dolf Guardiola, Nicole Campbell, Trey Saldana, Meg Davis, Iris Keeling, Steve Wright, and Dean Loehr
The Wallace Theater exists today to enrich lives in the community through education, arts and cultural activities, fulfilling its mission to “Create Experiences that Entertain, Inspire and Empower!” While we entertain our patrons, we also work to inspire them to dream big and empower them to reach their full potential. Most importantly, we know that the children in our community are our future leaders. For our community to continue to grow in a positive direction we need to invest in the well-being and long-term success of young people.
The organization was established in 2015 to renovate and restore the historic theater and serve the community through arts, cultural, and educational experiences that include educational film events, art shows, theatre camps, and concerts. The Wallace Theater excels in creating and developing new programs to serve the community.
Renovation projects that have been completed:
New Roof on the entire building
Updated Lobby Bathrooms
The addition of an ADA accessible ramp inside the auditorium
New exit stairs, railings, doors, and lighting at the back of the auditorium
Removal of exposed insulation on the balcony
Fresh paint on the exterior of the balcony
Removal of peeling paint along the sides of the auditorium walls and fresh paint
Concrete foundation repair work inside the auditorium
Mini prep area with sinks and dishwasher for concessions
Restoration of ticket booth window
Portable theatrical lighting, surround sound and projection equipment
Future renovations planned:
Installation of HVAC
Rebuilding the main stage inside the auditorium
Restoration of the historic murals on the ceiling and walls
Installation of theatrical lighting, drapery and equipment
Installation of updated film and projection equipment
New seating, that will be moveable to accommodate a variety of event floor plans.