Ten years after the Main Street Movie House reopened its doors to the public, the Downtown Bradford Revitalization Corp. has announced that it is selling the theater to a private owner.

Having completed its task of returning the theater into a viable business, the DBRC has sold it to local businessman Todd Hennard, effective today.

Officials indicated the change will cause no interruption in film showings, and Hennard plans to retain operations in much the same way as the DBRC has.

Hennard explained that the DBRC approached him about purchasing the company, as it wanted to “put it in private hands.”

In a press release issued on Tuesday by the DBRC, Bill Leven, DBRC chairman, said, “We (The DBRC) recognize that the theater is vital to Bradford and we have accomplished exactly what we set out to do.”

Leven was grateful for the years of community support that have kept the theater part of the community under DBRC’s ownership. “With generous contributions from the community, we have kept the doors open and have put the theater in a position where it can be sold back into privatization where it belongs. None of this would have been possible without the generous gifts of the community.”

This is not the first agreement between Hennard and the DBRC. In 2011, Hennard purchased the Main Street Mercantile from the corporation.

Jim Guelfi, the DBRC member who has served as the liaison between the corporation and Dipson Theatres, indicated the DBRC is pleased with his management of the Mercantile. “We have no doubt he’ll do the same with the movie theater.”

Leven agreed. “We are excited that Mr. Hennard had interest in the theater and we are confident that this is a positive transaction for Bradford. We ask the community to support this sale by attending movies right here in Bradford!”

Guelfi will step down as liaison in light of the sale. He expects Hennard will continue the same type of film offerings as the previous owners.

“Todd has assured us he’ll be running the same quality films,” said Guelfi, who noted that the popular Free Family Film Fest and Independent Film Series will continue to be offered at the theater.

Guelfi said residents can expect to see no loss under Hennard, “only improvements.”

Hennard indicated he is hoping to make prices more affordable to families who wish to stay in town for dinner and a movie, and he will honor all previous movie passes. He also said he’d be interested in opening the facility to performances other than feature films, which he said could include comedy acts, presentations and instructional films.

In January, theater officials completed a several-month-long upgrade to the facility, which included adding a second digital projector, repainting, adding new tiles and replacing the iconic marquee.

With the addition of the projector, the theater now shows all digital films. “We’re one of the few theaters that is 100 percent digitized,” said Guelfi, a fact which will make the business more viable in the coming years, as movie distributors are phasing out the use of film reels.

The film equipment, screens and sound system are “state-of-the-art,” said Hennard. “It is every bit as good as any theater around.”

One difference between the Main Street Movie House and other theaters is the look of the Bradford theater. “When we did the remodel, we tried to keep the art deco look,” explained Guelfi.

It had last been updated 10 years prior, when volunteers with the Light Up the Marquee Committee successfully reopened the theater two years after it closed its doors.

While the DBRC has owned the theater for a decade, the theater has been a focal point in the city for much longer, first opening its doors on Christmas Day in 1935.

Hennard explained that Dipson Theatres in Buffalo, N.Y., had assisted the DBRC in running the business. He said he’ll “probably use them, but day-to-day operations will be handled locally.” His own company will oversee the theater.

Current manager Lara Ericson will keep her position.

At least for now, film-goers will still be able to find information on current film showings at www.dipsontheatres.com.