Seal Beach group hopes to revitalize Bay Theatre

SEAL BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- The paint's chipping and the doors are locked at the Bay Theatre in Seal Beach, but Melinda Howell and Steve Cole remember when the building used to light up the town.

"We loved to walk from home, have dinner and come here for a movie. It was part of a wonderful evening," Howell said.

The theater opened in 1947, showing a range of movies from silent films to new releases, until it closed in 2012.

Now, Nick Carabetta, who manages Crema Cafe down the street, wants to revive the venue.

"Just being interested in small theaters like that, it's something the community wanted to bring back after it closed," Carabetta said.

Carabetta and a group of Seal Beach residents started the Bay Theater Foundation. They're trying to raise $2 million to buy and renovate the building.

The group is inspired by other efforts like theirs, including the ongoing revival of the Fox Theatre in Fullerton.

"It's really kind of a ripe time for the cause, because there are so many others out there doing it as well," Carabetta said.

Recently, a sign went up at the theater, reading "The Bay Theater Foundation is not affiliated with us in any way."

Carabetta says it's been difficult trying to work with the theater's owner, a woman in New York, but that it won't stop them because so much of the community supports the cause.

"It's been here a long time, it brings value. It's part of walking wherever you want and getting what the community needs right here," Cole said.

The Bay Theatre did not respond to emails or phone calls requesting a comment.

For more information about the Bay Theater Foundation, visit baytheaterfoundation.org.