Modesto’s State Theatre fulfills ‘dream,’ takes over neighboring space with big plans
A prime corner spot in the middle of downtown Modesto will now have a renewed community focus, with a little community help along the way.
Modesto’s historical State Theatre has taken over the the former Money Mart business next door, with plans to transform it into a community space for events, workshops and rentals. The board of directors for the 87-year-old nonprofit arts and film venue has signed a five-year lease with the building owner, with an option to extend the terms or buy the approximately 1,550-square-foot space.
“It’s been a dream of staff and the board for a long time to move into this space and turn it into a gift for the community,” said State board President Jessica Godden.
The move ends nearly four decades of having some sort of financial business on the corner of 13th and J streets. According to The Modesto Bee archives, the building spent several years in the 1950s as a carpet seller, followed in the 1960s by a clothing store.
Then in the 1970s, the investment firm Investors Thrift moved into the building and spent a good decade at the location before the first check-cashing business replaced it in 1985. Since then, the site has remained a payday loan and check-cashing business under different company names until its closure this spring.
The former business next to Modesto’s only remaining Golden Age-era movie theater has been an odd fit along downtown’s busiest street for years, sticking out like a bit of a sore thumb next to the Art Deco-design and neon marquee of the theater.
Godden said the board jumped at the chance to take over the corner. The State Theatre sits in the middle of the block, and she said they plan to extend the facade, lights and neon to the corner spot to give it a unified look.
The State has had the space since early May and wants to move quickly with a timeline of nine to 12 months to complete the project. The new space, which currently has a glassed-in counter from the check cashing business and wrap-around windows, will have access to the next-door Jewel theater and walk-through to the State’s main lobby.
State board Vice President Sam Pierstorff said they want to create an inviting space that can be used to hold State-sponsored workshops, classes and events, as well as be used or rented by community groups. They plan to build in a catering kitchen as well, to allow local restaurants to bring in food for events.
“We’re hoping this corner will become a jewel of downtown,” Pierstorff said. “We want this to be a creative space, not a competitive space. We want to be part of the revitalization of downtown.”
Design plans for the space include a roll-up door to the building’s 13th Street side that opens to a parklet. Pierstorff and Godden envision before and/or after event gatherings being held in the corner spot, and will have built-in audio-visual technology so it can be used for professional presentations, too.
Once complete, the building should be able to fit about 150 people. That increases the historic theater’s capacity, which is about 550 in the main theater and 25 in the new The Jewel micro-theater, which opened in late 2019.
The project is expected to take about $500,000 to complete, Godden said. The nonprofit will be fundraising to finance the development, including at its annual gala Oct. 13. But before then, the group needs a name for the new addition.
The State will hold a naming contest, open to the public. The winner of the contest will receive a “Golden Ticket,” good for a year’s worth of free movies at the theater.
For more information about the State Theatre’s naming contest, visit thestate.org/were-expecting. For more information, visit the State at 1307 J St., in Modesto or call 209-527-4697.
