Frenchaks honored for revitalization of Penn Theater
BUTLER TWP — Bryan and Marina Frenchak, who are on the verge of revitalizing one of Butler’s most storied buildings in the Penn Theater with the hopes of elevating the city’s Main Street, were honored for their efforts Thursday, Oct. 26.
The couple, who reside part time in Butler, received the 20th Community Champion Award from the Butler County Chamber of Commerce during a luncheon in Founders Hall at Butler County Community College.
Their roughly $1.5 million project is well underway with a goal to complete the renovation in time to host a New Year’s Eve party, ringing in 2024 with a 1930s theme, due to the fact the Penn Theater opened in 1938.
“With everything that's going on with the chamber and other businesses for so long on Main Street, the timing just happened to be right,” Bryan said. “We are just thankful to be a part of it.”
The Frenchaks have invested about $1 million of their own money into the renovation.
Bryan, a Butler native, explained that the Penn Theater renovations are between “80 to 90% done” after starting this past spring. Earlier, he had expressed plans to open by mid-November, in an even more ambitious goal than New Year’s Eve.
Most recently they have installed a brand new speaker system, Bryan said, but there is still plenty more work that needs to be done.
Marina is new to the Butler community, as she was born in Argentina. She has traveled the world and stayed in many countries throughout her life, but there was something about Butler that caught her attention.
“I'm happy my family understood when I fell in love with Butler,” Marina said. “I'm very far away from my family, but this is where I want to stay.”
Bryan said during one of their visits back to his hometown, the deteriorating Penn Theater caught Marina’s eye. She told Bryan she could see it revitalized.
“I was hearing all the naysayers,” Bryan said. “It's got mold; it's got leaks; the roof is gone. We bought a house in Butler, and we are up here four to six months out of the year, and I said I got nothing else to do.”
“I heard people saying you can't do it and that triggered me,” Bryan added. “I look at it from the other side and say why not. I'm glad we were able to overcome those negatives.”
Most of Bryan’s career success has come from his involvement in multiple industries as an entrepreneur. Notably, he has been involved in real estate development in Houston, Texas, but now he has a new project that he said he hopes will bring more life back to his hometown.
“These things have aligned at the right time,” Bryan said. “We are just thankful in being used at this point and the rest is all up to you. We need you to all be there and support it.”
Marina and Bryan said they started this project to support the community and it will soon be up to them to show their support in the Main Street staple.
“I want to thank our friends in opening the doors,” Marina said as she addressed the crowd. “Getting this award just makes me validate the Penn Theater is for each and every one of you.”
When the Penn Theater opened in 1938, it became a well-used theater and events center, playing host to concerts, comedians, musicals and private events.
After several decades as Main Street's movie destination, the Penn Theater closed its doors in May 1991.
The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation lent the Butler Redevelopment Authority $290,000 to buy the building in 2009.
On Nov. 10, 2022, the authority voted unanimously to accept a $65,000 offer from Frenchak to buy the building, while he simultaneously donated $10,000 to the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation.
The Penn Theater was designed by New York architect James E. Casale and construction on the venue was done by Miller & Dumbaugh, which began in September 1937 at a cost of $125,000.
“It's different than what it was,” Bryan said. “We want to keep the facade the way it was. It's vintage on the outside, but when you get on the inside, it's more contemporary.”
Bryan believes that the revitalization of the Penn Theater is just the beginning of what is to come in the city of Butler, with the hopes that more businesses will want to call it home.
“It's all about working together,” Bryan said. “The work ethic in Butler is just different. God adds, multiplies, creates and restores. What we are doing and what's happening in this county and this city, we just need to keep it going.”
