Tally Ho Cites Competition in Decision to Close
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Friday, November 30, 2007
The operator of the Tally Ho Theatre in downtown Leesburg announced Friday that she will close the theater at the end of the year.
Judy Wilson said she decided to exercise her option to terminate her lease because of increased competition from other theaters and the cost of needed capital improvements.
"It's strictly an economic decision," said Wilson, who has run the Tally Ho for five years.
The building is owned by APD Tally Ho LLC. Don Devine, a managing partner with the firm, said several companies already have expressed interest in renting the property. One wants to continue to operate the Tally Ho as a movie theater, while others are interested in converting it into a bank, a restaurant or a music venue featuring nationally known acts, he said.
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Devine said he prefers at this point to keep the property a movie theater or turn it into a music venue.
"We're actually really excited, because the new theater group and the music venue are proposing to run things differently," Devine said, adding that the theater group would completely redesign the building.
"I think the Tally Ho is ready for a new look and a new era. I think it will be fantastic for Leesburg," said Devine, who plans to begin advertising the property in January.
The theater on West Market Street opened in 1931 and operated under various owners until the late 1990s, when it closed due to competition from national theater chains. The theater was then purchased by Devine, who began renting it to Wilson and a partner in 2002.
Since its reopening, the theater has screened popular movies as well as local documentaries and foreign films.
"I didn't know what to expect when I opened it," said Wilson, who said she has focused on offering entertainment that brings the community together. "The sad part for me is all the folks I've met and all the people who are loyal to the theater and how it will impact them. I'm glad to have been able to serve the community for five years."
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Who... in their right mind, seriously thinks Leesburg needs another bank? There is literally at least 10 banks within 2 miles of each other in Leesburg.
Yeah, lets destroy a Leesburg Landmark and put in another bank. Hey! Maybe we can make it half Bank, half Starbucks!
Sorry to see it go, Judy and Tally Ho always supported the community whenever she could.
Posted by Brian (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Agreed, it is iconic, but ...
The sound system, seating, parking, atmosphere in general was horrible.
Too hard to compete, to say the least
Posted by OhTheHumanity (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A bank - that's it!
We need more banks in Leesburg.
Time to knock down all those ancient buildings and put in some plastic franchises - gotta compete with all the new "mixed-use town centers" springing up along Rt 7!
Posted by blueridgepro (anonymous) on November 30, 2007 at 7:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Our family loves the Tally Ho and the awesome movies Mrs. Wilson brought the to community that were not mainstream or big money makers.
We are sorry to see you go and thanks for all you've given to local residents. Let's hope more people shop locally and take some of the inconveniences in stride. Hope to see some performing arts at this ideal venue.
Posted by colemanassoc (anonymous) on December 1, 2007 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sprawl wins again. Loudoun County gets what it deserves.
Posted by mail3047723 (anonymous) on December 3, 2007 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I believe that the crucial mistake made by the current operators of the theater was in booking some of the same films that were showing at many of the multiplexes in the area. Why would I go to the Tally Ho when I could go to the Regal Countryside and see the same film in comfortable stadium seating? Very-popular films are often shown there on multiple screens with start times just an hour apart.
I would like to see the Tally Ho turned into an art house or repertory theater such as the Cinema Arts in Fairfax. It would be a perfect place to show classic films as well as worthwhile contemporary foreign and independent films that the multiplexes do not book. With our fast-growing population and the number of universities with branches in Loudoun County, I believe that there is a strong market for this type of theater.
Posted by rsimanski (anonymous) on December 3, 2007 at 5:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh yeah, just think of the beautiful drive-thru bank we could have at that spot! Heck, there might be room to put in TWO of 'em! I hope TallyHo can be refurbished and turned into something productive for downtown. If I see one more bank, or pocket of "luxury" townhomes, I'm outta here.
Posted by GenuineRisk (anonymous) on December 4, 2007 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Our family prefers Tally Ho over the chain movie theaters. The seating could have used some improvemet, but overall I didn't find anything to complain about. I was just commenting the other day that Leesburg has a ton of banks. Please, no more banks.
Posted by jamilscott (anonymous) on December 15, 2007 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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