While it’s true that the Midtown’s success stories have been an economic shot in the arm, not a single business has pulled a large enough following into Midtown to create the buzz needed to jumpstart the district into a destination. This fact became painfully clear while I was driving down Third Street on Columbus Day only to find several businesses closed because of the state holiday. Yeah, I know the state government isn’t moving anywhere, but it’s a little depressing to think that these businesses rely on their daytime customers for all their revenue.

However the recent announcement of the Palmyra Arts Cinema moving into the area gives the Midtown Business District its first legitimate shot at a venue that will generate a nightly crowd in the area.

Why, before you know it, there might even be a scene here. And then young professionals might start moving into the area, and then, shazam, the Midtown Business District could become the place to live in Harrisburg.

OK, maybe I’m jumping to conclusions, but the movie theater developments can only mean better things for the Midtown District. It’s wonderful to see the Mayor’s office and the Midtown Business District working so hard to support another independent business into the city.

The roots of the Palmyra Arts Cinema stretch from a nondescript strip mall on Route 422 at the east end of Palmyra. For owner Allen Brown, the theater was a lifelong dream that came to fruition about four years ago. While Brown will be the first to admit that he wasn’t building a huge retirement fund, he simply enjoyed running the theater and offering an alternative to the multiplexes that dominate Central Pennsylvania’s movie landscape.

However all that changed about a year ago, when Brown found out that a twelve-screen multiplex would be opening one mile from his 142-seat theater. As a matter of survival, Brown switched from showing second-run Hollywood pictures to featuring independent and art films. While these movies may be unknown in this area, independent movie houses have become hot property in many metropolitan areas.

Since changing his format, Brown’s attendance gradually increased to more than 300 patrons a week. Some patrons became such huge fans that they would travel from as far away as Reading, York, and Lancaster, but a large number of patrons were from Harrisburg. Business was so good that Brown was reupholstering his seats and greatly expanding his snack bar offerings. Then one day, while coming into work, Brown noticed the strip mall’s manager showing his property, along with several neighboring storefronts, to new clients.

Ten days later, he received an eviction notice in the mail. Brown had 45 days to vacate the premises so a dollar store could move into the mall. His last showing was October 22.

But Brown’s possible move to Harrisburg is hardly his own work. Once word got out about the cinema’s closing, Todd Shill, a member of the Midtown Business District board and an avid movie fan, immediately contacted Brown about the possibility of moving his theater to the Midtown District. Shill, along with the Mayor’s office and many city businesses, have coalesced into a well-oiled machine to make Brown’s transition an easy one.

They have helped find facilities and offered financial and legal assistance, as well as simple words of encouragement and support to help Brown bring his dream to reality once again.

To say the least, Brown is overwhelmed and incredibly excited about his future in the Midtown Business District.

The people are ready, so bring on the movies. Who knows — maybe West Shore residents will even venture across the river after dark! (I know I will.)