In October 2020 the Pantheon Theatre in Vincennes received a $732,000 grant from the Department of Commerce to renovate the exterior.
Now, nearly a year-and-a-half later, restorations have come to a halt.
President and CEO of the Pantheon Nicole Like has been spearheading the renovations to the interior and exterior.
She says that everything from the 101-year-old exterior brick, gutters, windows, and doors needs to be replaced. But due to supply chain issues that have rocked the nation, the finishing touches to the exterior have been pushed back.
“So what we’re waiting on mainly right now are some of the windows that are needing to be replaced in the second story of the building, and then also our marquee,” Like said.
The Economic Development Administration, part of the Department of Commerce, granted an extension from March until June to finish the restorations. Like says she is holding out hope that the construction will be finished on time.
Before its new purpose as a co-op space, the Pantheon hosted big names such as Red Skelton, Duke Ellington, and Hank Williams Returning the building’s exterior to its former glory is the goal.
The new marquee will be the final installation needed to get the theater looking like a theater again. But supply chain shortages on LED lights and other materials will push the delivery until later this spring.
“And that’s going to be the icing on the cake, everybody’s excited about that,” said Like. “That’s going to make this building look like a theater again.”
For now, the building is open inside for businesses and the community as a business incubator. The space features a large observation deck for community events and presentations and offices that are available for rent.
