Main Street News

When Lenore Mallett and her husband bought The Colonial Theatre in North Canaan, CT, with the Fiorillo family, they all saw it as an incredible business opportunity. Not only this, but both Salisbury, CT, families were eager to discover what was happening in this town and how The Colonial could promote and contribute to the younger, more creative energy they witnessed. With shops like ILSE Coffee and Hunky Hound Handlers right down the street, Lenore muses that “the group was excited to join the undercurrent of energy that was quietly happening in North Canaan.”

The history of The Colonial

Over a hundred years ago, The Colonial Theatre first opened in 1923 as The Casino, “a one-stop entertainment center” that offered “daily movies, ten-pin bowling, and a second floor ballroom,” while also hosting a variety of events including high school graduations, award ceremonies, entertainment acts, and local productions.

After being purchased by businessman Anthony Boscardin in 1929, The Casino transformed in many ways: he “modernized the building, changed its name, and created the red-damask, art-deco interior that The Colonial Theatre is still known for today.”

Eventually, the theatre closed in 1997, until it reopened in the early 2000s following a million-dollar renovation and reworked as a dinner theatre. However, in 2010, its doors closed again until April 2023, when the Malletts and Fiorillos reopened the theatre.

Reimagining the theatre’s role

Indeed, after taking ownership about 18 months ago and painting the entire exterior of the building to match the beautifully preserved interior, Lenore shares that they began considering what kind of space this would be for the community. 

“When we first opened our doors, everyone was like, ‘Run movies! Play movies!’ And we were like, ‘Okay, we’ll do the movies!’ And then we realized that people don’t really come to the movies anymore, and movies are actually really expensive to run. So, we had to be really flexible in our planning and listen to not what people think they want, but what they actually want.”

This is how The Colonial became the multifaceted space it is today, hosting its own movie events while also being available to rent for a variety of different functions from live music performances, private movie screenings, and comedy shows to community gatherings, educational workshops, and ceremonies. The Colonial also offers movie sponsorships for businesses who wish to support the community while advertising their services. The theatre runs two of these sponsored movies, which are free to the community, per month. “It’s a way for us to cover our costs, but also provide the movies that people say they want to come see,” Lenore adds.

Recently, The Colonial has hosted two showings of Warren Miller’s 75, a ski movie that sold out for the first showing. Lenore notes that interestingly, these films with specific audiences are particularly successful at the theatre. “We tend to find that when we get a niche movie, they do really, really well.”

In addition, they offer movies for the whole family, like a free showing of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas on Sunday, December 15th, and more retro picks like The Thin Man with live jazz by the Orson Handel Trio on Saturday, December 14th! The premiere for the Salisbury Winter Sports Association (SWSA) documentary will also be held at The Colonial in January. For a full list of upcoming events, click here!

And with an array of exciting business partners, the theatre is now a collaborative space showcasing talented local entrepreneurs: the building is home to professional photographer Aly Morrissey’s media studio; Jaclyn Ryan’s Hither Lane, an ethically and sustainably curated barware, serveware, and kitchenware shop; Melissa Pinardi’s Stunning Styles Hair salon; and Hanna Rybolt’s Pastries by Hanna, which specializes in craft donuts and specialty pastries.

Seasonal markets & highlighting North Canaan’s offerings

Thus far, The Colonial has organized two markets – one in the spring and one in the fall – where this group of businesses has been joined by other like-minded and community-oriented folks and filled the theatre’s parking lot with a delightful variety of products and activities. 

“They’re really fun. It’s like the structure of a farmers market where there’s lots of different, little vendors and we try to theme it for the season,” Jaclyn explains. Hanna’s shop recently sold pumpkin-y and cinnamon-flavored pastries for their fall market, and Hither Lane has hosted hot sauce tastings  while showcasing rare and unique products sourced from other small businesses.

With games, a delicious food component, art on display, and music from The Music Lab right in North Canaan, there is plenty to enjoy and a local spin on everything involved. And as Lenore notes, through these efforts, they are working to make the town a destination in its own right. 

“We’re trying to build some momentum and get more folks involved with showing their small businesses and having North Canaan be a little bit more of a lively walking town,” Jaclyn observes. “There aren’t that many towns around here that have this type of shape where it’s perfect to stroll around and visit businesses. And it’s easy to park. But we get a lot of drive through and maybe not as much pulling over, and that’s what we’re trying to do with the markets and decorating the windows for Christmas. All of that is to show that there are things happening in North Canaan.”

Engaging with the local community

Something particularly remarkable about this strive toward prosperity and attracting new visitors to the area is that long-time residents of the Northwest Corner and Berkshire County, MA, have been drawn in as well; from people who’ve lived in North Canaan their entire lives to visitors—and even celebrity clients—just stopping by, the group feels fortunate to be able to cater to all of their patrons, whether it’s someone who shops there often or someone who specifically wants to treat themselves.

As a sole proprietor, Jaclyn has witnessed this phenomenon firsthand and recognizes how grateful they all feel for it. “[I’ve noticed that] we have a variety of customers and that people who are coming in don’t feel like this doesn’t fit the town they know or this doesn’t fit with something that feels accessible to them,” she emphasizes. “I think that the diversity in clientele for us has been really nice.”

Aly explains that she’s seen this mix of locals and visitors as well, working with two town locals who are just starting their careers in the video and photo world. “Having that local connection has been really cool,” she shares. 

In tandem with this, Aly has also found herself bringing in those who are unfamiliar with the area’s unique charm but who quickly become captivated by it. “I work at the Sharon Playhouse, so I’ve had actors from New York City come in for headshots and immediately, when they walk into the building, they are just blown away by how cool this space is,” she muses.
”It’s just such an awesome blend right now of people who are from the area and live here and in the surrounding towns, but also people who are coming from farther away” 

Furthermore, Jaclyn points out that post-pandemic, it is all the more vital to attract a wide range of folks to small businesses. “That’s the story with all the towns up here: it’s become such a mix of people who’ve moved from other places and people who’ve lived here their whole lives. Sometimes there can be tension between those two, and I think one of the ways to dissolve that tension is to have local businesses that everybody can shop at or that everybody can patronize in some way. That’s been a really beautiful thing to see.”

A North Canaan renaissance

Lenore, Jaclyn, and Aly all look forward to a future where people remember to come to North Canaan, an area constantly changing and growing each day, but a place that still needs help to thrive even further. “Stuff’s happening, but we need that love back from the community, and we need people to show up, and shop here, and support the entrepreneurs that are trying to make a go of it,” Lenore underscores.

The Colonial and the opportunities it provides are a pivotal part of this endeavor, offering a truly versatile space to celebrate not only togetherness and commonality, but differences as well. “It’s like a blank canvas with community at the center,” Aly asserts. “The sky’s the limit in terms of what we can do here, and I would love to see more and more people take advantage of that.”

Jaclyn adds that the nostalgia for a past North Canaan can only be revisited through community investment and engagement, which will not only fuel the economy, but revitalize the town in long sought after ways. “We’re all here now, and we all share the same goal, which is to make the town as amazing as it can be and as amazing as it has been in the past.”

All photos courtesy of The Colonial Theatre. The Colonial Theatre is located at 27 Railroad Street in North Canaan, CT. To learn more about The Colonial, their events, their business partners, and how you can get involved, please visit their website here. You can get in contact via email at info@canaancolonial.com or give them a call at (860) 453-6200. Support them on Instagram and Facebook!