New Town Macon purchased the Bibb Theatre, located on Macon’s Third Street, in 2018 to turn it into loft-style apartments. Before its purchase, the building had been empty since the 1980s and sat as a boarded-up structure. Although it’s hard to believe, before the takeover by NewTown, the theatre had an affluent history in downtown Macon. Here are five facts about the history of the Theatre.
1. The theatre began in major historical movements
Belle Millinery Company and Barfield’s Dress Shop, a joint women’s clothing store, was bought in 1938 by the Weiss Family (who also started the Savannah Theatre in Savannah, Georgia) and was turned into what was known as the Bibb Theatre. The theatre opened in 1938 and stayed open during World War II and the Civil Rights Movement. While originally segregated by race, the theatre soon changed to open to all. In 1973, the theatre offered a free showing of the film “Save the Children.” A large crowd attended the showing, which resulted in large-scale vandalism of the theatre’s lobby and later a riot on Third Street itself.
2. The Bibb Theatre had a makeover
As the theatre began to decline in attendance around the 1960s, efforts to change it began. The original building contained 800 seats but was cut down to 650 seats to make a more comfortable experience. A marquee was also installed, which was seen as very modern during the time. The theatre was regarded as “The New Bibb Theatre.”
3. The closing of the theatre is more logical than you think
As people began to move away from the city and downtown itself, the theatre saw attendance decline. Residents in North and West Macon had theatres closer they could go to them. At one time, Macon also had indoor movie theaters on Riverside Drive, at the former Macon Mall and on Tom Hill Sr. Boulevard. The AmStar Theater on Zebulon Road is the only remaining theater showing first-run movies.
4. The building itself was recently used for movie showings
In recent years, the theatre began showing classic movies at the Bibb by a collaboration of NewTown Macon and the Macon Film Fest. The films were shown projected against the building above the marquee with outdoor seating on Third Street. This was done to keep the theatre alive even though the buildings inside were abandoned, and to serve as a community event.
5. The theatre will be completely redone for the Lofts project
NewTown Macon is repurposing the building and adding to a mixed-use development called Bibb Music Lofts. This project will include residential spaces, as well as areas for music and entertainment. The build will be done according to the Loft apartments’ style.
