“My Grandparents, Edith (Mimi) and Frank Diehl, moved to the Boyertown area in 1941. In 1975, my Mom, (Dolly) moved back to the same farm house, and now two of my sisters, Bonnie Wren and Debby Meehan have also moved back to the area. We all share many fond memories of those earlier times, including visits to the State Theatre, to Bauses Drug Store, the Mansion House Restaurant and even Landis Store when it was a general store. We all want to see Boyertown’s history preserved, while helping Boyertown grow and thrive. This purchase and improvement to the State Theatre is our way to be part of the community effort to make it happen,” said Steve Maguire, Chester County businessman.
It was a 25-minute meeting between Steve Maguire and Charles Haddad, Boyertown attorney, that led to Maguire and Haddad developing a plan for Maguire to purchase the Historic State Theatre of Boyertown to be used by the Boyertown community.
It was the first time Maguire and Haddad met, and a plan for Maguire to purchase the Theatre through the Maguire Family Foundation and to make interior improvements quickly developed.
Maguire made it known to Haddad that he, Maguire, did not want to operate a theater and that he would be pleased to lease the Theatre to the nonprofit group formed by Haddad – The State Theatre Preservation Society – for 20 years for $1.00 per year. While the lease terms need to be developed between Maguire and the Theatre group, both parties agree the Theatre will be preserved for the Boyertown area community.
Upon learning of the generous offer by Maguire, Boyertown Mayor Marianne Deery, said, “Welcome Home! I could not be happier for our community in welcoming back our historic State Theatre, just in time to share Boyertown’s 150th Anniversary Celebration this year. From 1912 to the present, the Theatre has been an a icon in our community. We all have fond and fun memories of this grand lady. But the neatest is that the memories will continue. Again, I am so happy for the Boyertown Community.”
Allen Steffy, President of Building A Better Boyertown, said, “The sale of the State Theatre to Mr. Maguire and the generous offer of Mr. Maguire brings another milestone to Boyertown. We will have three amazing venues with the Theatre, the Museum of Historic Vehicles and the Colebrookdale Railroad, each offering a wonderful experience for local and distant patrons.”
Steve Maguire is President of Maguire Products, Inc. of Aston, Pa., a worldwide leader in the manufacture of equipment for the plastics industry. Starting in his attic in 1977, Maguire has built Maguire Products, Inc. into one of the world’s largest supplier of specialized equipment for the plastics industry in six manufacturing plants in Aston, Delaware County and sales offices in North America, Europe and Asia.
The State Theatre of Boyertown closed in March 2015, unable to sustain as a Theater of the Arts or meet the costs of digital demands. It is located at 61 N. Reading Ave., Boyertown.