Odeon Theatre lands new local owners

The historic Odeon Theatre in downtown Tucumcari marked a change in ownership Friday with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and the screening of the animated movie "Kung Fu Panda 4."

Though Jose Almeida is associated with local Atzmus Martial Arts studio, the first movie he chose to show was strictly coincidental.

"It just happened; it just lined up that way," he said in a phone interview. "We were talking to the (film) booker about the different movies available, and this one was not too old, not too new, and he gave me time to order it."

A little more than 100 people attended the reopening and evening shows of the movie Friday.

Almeida, known by his local radio handle DJ Lalo, said the next film to be screened at the Odeon will be "The Garfield Movie."

Almeida and his wife Silvia, who have two children, closed on the purchase of the 1936 theater on May 6 from previous husband-and-wife owners Robert Lopez and Christy Dominguez, who had it for more that a decade. He declined to name the purchase price.

So what prompted him to buy a movie theater?

"I saw that it was on sale, and I didn't want someone else to take it and not do anything with it," he said.

"Sometimes these buildings are bought by people out of state, and they just let it die. So when I saw the opportunity, I want to help the community and, of course, make some couple bucks in there."

Dominguez said in a phone interview she wouldn't have sold the Odeon to someone who didn't have the Tucumcari community on his priority list.

"Lalo is one of the most perfect individuals who could possibly ever have acquired the theatre," she said. "His passion for the community and helping people and being involved in doing things is just beautiful. And it couldn't be to a nicer family."

In addition to showing movies, Almeida said he wants to book film festivals, comedy shows, motivational speakers and perhaps music acts at the Odeon.

Almeida said Dominguez is helping with the transition.

"She's been training me how to use the equipment as far as the projector and all the equipment part of it and concession equipment, as well," he said.

Dominguez said her successor is a quick study, which gives her confidence he'll do well.

"He knows what he's doing," she said. "He's worked in food (service) before. He's very technically advanced with machinery, electrical, computers. It's just like a second nature to him. It really has been amazing to watch him. He just took it over and just acted like he's been doing it for a hundred years.

"I have been helping him with transition, but quite frankly, he is such a quick learner that there hasn't been much need for it. He got on the register with our system and he just figured it out. Just poked and poked, and he did it. And the projector, he just watched me one time, and he got it. He's very, very smart, very bright and so easy to work with."

The Odeon recently was given a $10,000 grant from the Preserve Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Fund to repair the facade. Dominguez said following through on that grant was a condition of the sale.

"We have to work together and figure out what we're going to do," Almeida said. "We're talking about the tile in front on the wall and some neon restoration. Perhaps where the marquee is we'll do some repairs as well."

Dominguez, who oversaw substantial improvements to the venue including digital projection, sound upgrades and reupholstering the seats, admitted to mixed feelings about relinquishing the Odeon.

"I've gone through my periods where I've had a good cry," she said. "I've put my my soul, my sweat, blood and tears in there. I loved that theater. And I loved what it meant to the community. I loved its history. I'm so happy it's going to someone who's going to be continue the passion that I've created for the theater. I couldn't be more grateful."

As for Almeida, he said he's looking forward to what his new acquisition brings.

"Tucumcari has been great to me and my family," he said. "We hope to have this place open for the community and also receive support from the community."