Press Release-June 25, 2024 3:00PM EST
Liberty Theatre Awarded $10,000 Backing Small Businesses Enhancement Grant through American Express and Main Street America
On Tuesday, June 25, American Express and Main Street America announced the grant recipients for the Backing Small Businesses Grant Program.
Liberty Theatre based in North Wilkesboro was among the winners.
“All of the owners and our amazing team, could not be more excited about this incredible news! The Liberty Theatre has been a beloved “Wilkes County Institution” for over 92 years, and this grant will help us keep the magic alive for our community for years to come.” said co-owner Aynsley Zulpo
American Express and Main Street America today announced the 500 small business owners who have been awarded $10,000 through the Backing Small Businesses grant program. The program’s 2024 grant recipients represent U.S. small businesses across all 50 states, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico. Later this year, grantees will have the opportunity to apply for an additional $30,000 enhancement grant that will be awarded to 25 small businesses.
Since launching in 2021, Backing Small Businesses has provided over $9 million in grants to 1,180 small business owners nationwide. American Express and Main Street America initially created the grant program to help economically vulnerable small business owners recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and grow their businesses.
This program is part of American Express’ “Backing Small” initiative to provide financial support and resources to small business owners experiencing economic hardships. Other Backing Small grant programs include Backing Historic Small Restaurants and Backing International Small Restaurants. Backing Small is an extension of American Express’ longstanding commitment to support small independent businesses globally, including through its Shop Small movement and Small Business Saturday campaign, celebrating its 15th anniversary this year.
Meet the most recent Backing Small Businesses Enhancement Grant Recipients: https://mainstreet.org/the-latest/news/500-small-business-owners-receive-10-000-grants-through-backing-small-businesses-program
To learn more about the Backing Small Businesses grant program and learn about the grantees, click here.
More about the Liberty Theatre and our work to preserve Wilkes County History.
The Liberty Theatre Go Fund Me Story
Hi! My name is Aynsley Zulpo, I am one of the 4 new owners of the Liberty Theatre in North Wilkesboro, NC.
Let me be clear up front, The Liberty Theatre is a for-profit business. All tickets for first-run movies are $5. We have two theatres and each holds 142 people. Our most expensive item in the concession stand is $8, which is a large unlimited popcorn. We do make a small profit and plan to reinvest it all back into the Liberty. Even with this, it will take us years to reinvest enough profit to do the things we would like which is why we started this GoFundMe.
The Liberty Theatre has been serving the community with shows and movies since 1932. In December 2022 we learned this community staple was to close at the end of the year.
Knowing the community would be devastated after 91 years of showing movies, my husband Mick Zulpo and I partnered with Mark and Lani Cook to “save” the Liberty. The Cooks are 3rd generation business owners locally with Cooks Sports & Outfitters. Mick and I opened a family entertainment complex in town in 2021, and opened a family sports restaurant in 2023 next to The Liberty Theatre. Both families know absolutely nothing about the movie business, but knew we had to do something!
The Liberty Theatre not only features movies seven days a week, but it also welcomes most local schools throughout the school year. Most adults will tell you they remember that school tradition as one of their favorites growing up locally.
Since purchasing the Liberty Theatre we have already added an ADA-compliant bathroom to the main floor (yes mind-blowing after 91 years no main floor bathroom) and invested in new HVAC units for the whole building (if you know you know). Along with some new paint, flooring and a good deep clean that is about all we can afford for now.
That is when our heart starts breaking with what we wish to do if we win the lottery.
The Liberty Theatre originally was a single theatre with multiple levels and a beautiful stage. Today the stage sits like a time capsule (you should see the beautiful curtains untouched by light for years) behind the current screens. Photos below. The top levels sit above the new drop ceiling hoping to one day be part of the room again. Imagine if we could take the space back to one theatre with a full stage. Did it mention dressing rooms sit off the stage? Ideally, we would have a drop screen and be able to show movies and use the beautiful stage for community events.
Today when you walk in the lobby you see a shut-down ticket window and a locked door to the grill that was “the” place to get a hot dog in town. We want to bring all that welcoming experience back.
What is the plan?
All four of the owners are committed to not taking a salary, and donating all of our time to The Liberty Theatre. Even with those measures Liberty does not make much money each year, again $5 first-run shows that we hope to NEVER change. Our fear is we as owners hold The Liberty Theatre back from its greatness. We have already hit our financial investment limit for a while. We play the lottery but as small business owners, we do not have the fund needed to restore this gem. So to not hold the Liberty Theatre “back,” we started this GoFundMe to see what Liberty has in store for herself. Mabel (resident ghost at the Liberty) may have something planned for her. How would we know unless we put it out there for the universe to decide?
- New theatre seats
- Remove drop ceilings and open up leveled seating options
- Recondition stage and dressing rooms, reopen
- Fix lighted signs for movie displays on the side of the building
- Reopen food café
- Projectors (1 purchased in May 2024 need 1 more)
- New Sound system (completed in March 2024)
What are we working on that your money will go towards:
We can not stress enough ALL FUNDS donated will be used solely at The Liberty Theatre for remodeling. Again we are a for-profit business, we just don’t make enough profit to bring back this Wilkes County Institution (see the ad below)! As we raise money and take money out, we will update this page with the amounts and items we were able to remodel. We want everyone to know, and see how their money is being spent. The goal of the Cook and Zulpo families is to restore The Liberty Theatre to full usage for the community to enjoy for 91 + years to come.
Thank you for your time and consideration! See you at the movies!
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A Wilkes County Institution Since 1932