Bijou Theatre & Enrichment Center Update

9/30/2025

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

We went under contract on August 20th and are currently in our due diligence phase of the contract. Our contracted closing date is in November.

We have submitted our application to be a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit.

We have met with the State Fire Marshall who evaluated the building and gave us a list of what needs to happen to bring the building up to code in order to re-open. We are talking to people in the trades who may be able to help us bring it up to code - electric, sprinklers, door safety, flame retardant curtains, and more.

We have established a Building Committee to help with repairs and to evaluate future renovations when the time comes (but first we just need it to be functional!)

We have been getting insurance quotes.

We have had contractors take a look at the roof and continue to evaluate its needs, and give us cost estimates to ensure it is viable, safe and sound.

We have had contractors take a look at the marquee and evaluate its integrity.

We have been looking at the movie projector with the help of our friends from the Center Theatre in Dover-Foxcroft and are working to see what it will take to get it in working order.

We have added new members to our Board of Directors and Advisory Committee and welcome interested people to reach out if they want to be involved.

Jolene McGowan of MATCHSTICK COMMUNICATIONS has generously donated her time to build our website!

We participated in the Maine Cheese Festival on 9/14 with a popcorn table and flyers to help spread word of our mission.

We have met with some fundraiser/grant writing professionals for advice on how to best manage that process after our 501(c)(3) application is approved.

We have begun receiving donations and pledges. People can easily donate ONLINE THROUGH OUR FISCAL SPONSOR The Center Theatre, or can mail a CHECK made out to CENTER THEATRE with "BIJOU” in the MEMO line. Until our own 501(c)(3) status is finalized, all monies must be collected through our Fiscal Sponsor.

WHAT’S NEXT?

We will be ramping up fundraising efforts to help cover initial closing costs and ongoing operating expenses, including insurance, Electricity, Oil, Water, and more, to ensure we can own it. Then we need to raise enough money along with in-kind donations from supportive contractors to make the necessary repairs to the building before we can open it to the public even for a one-time event. IT MUST BE SAFE. Since it has been closed down for 5 years, we are required to bring it up to today’s fire and safety codes. If we could just re-open the doors, we would do so immediately but unfortunately that cannot happen until it is deemed safe to the public.

WITH THE SUPPORT OF OUR FOLLOWERS, we can and will take on the repairs we need to bring back our community “jewel” on Main Street.

This will take some time, and we appreciate your support and patience as we work on this. Remember, we are all volunteers, and this will likely take several months or even a year to repair and open. IT WILL BE WORTH THE WAIT!

Please spread the word by sharing this website or the donation link to people you know who would like to help make this dream come true for Central Maine. The faster we garner the support we need, the sooner we will be able to open.