Steubenville’s Grand Theater gets $10,000 toward restoration effort
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STEUBENVILLE -- With opening day just three weeks away, Scott Dressel can't help but think back to his very first working weekend inside Steubenville's Grand Theater back in 2010.
"It was our first cleanout weekend," said Dressel, who describes himself as 'lead volunteer' for the project. "It was such a mess and smelled terrible -- back then it was still raining in here because the roof hadn't been done. We had like 100 people show up to haul out just tons of garbage, it was full of stuff and plaster. It was interesting because back then, everybody thought for sure we'd get it done -- it just took a lot longer than we had hoped and we still have a ways to go."
The good news is the 102-year-old Grand is looking a whole lot nicer now: It has a new roof, a revamped stage and a painstakingly restored pipe organ. The plasterwork was repaired where possible, replicated where it wasn't, lighting restored and re-hung.
While there's still a lot to do, they've achieved partial occupancy -- it's currently permitted for up to 230 guests -- and Dressel is hoping to cover operating expenses until the Grand qualifies for full occupancy -- 800 theater-goers.
Dressel likes the idea of starting small "until we have the capacity downtown to handle the restaurant traffic and the bar traffic before and after a big event."
"It's a beautiful space, it will really change downtown," Dressel said. "Every time we have an event we're going to have traffic, so it's the perfect time for the new restaurant across the street to be going in and for The Ville (restaurant) to be moving into the old Froehlich's location downtown, the timing couldn't be better. It's better for us and it's better for the downtown area to be able to handle it physically."
Though there are still some hurdles to overcome. For instance, Dressel doesn’t expect any summer events until the HVAC system can be replaced. They also need to finish the fire suppression system, get a three-story elevator installed so they can use the ballroom, create a restroom capable of accommodating a full-theater (800 guests) and figure out permanent seating, all of which are big ticket items.
"But the fun thing is having it usable, even for a 230-person event," he said. "That will definitely fill up every restaurant downtown at least once, maybe twice. So it will definitely make a difference, and that'll happen every single time we do an event so it's like a 'First Friday' spread out over several days."
The Grand's fundraising efforts recently got a $10,000 boost courtesy of Jim Saltsman and Fort Steuben Maintenance. His son and operations manager, Cody Saltsman, said he remembers "when the theater was in its less-than-perfect state" and over the years "were lucky enough to come in and help out as much as we could to help bring it back up to standard."
"This (project) is very beneficial for the city of Steubenville," he said. "I encourage everyone to do their part when they can, to help out with the revitalization of the downtown area. There's a lot of potential here."
He said his family has been doing business in the community for four generations.
"Whenever we're able, we like to help out, and we thought that this was something that would be beneficial to the entire community of Steubenville and...the ongoing discussions for revitalizing the downtown area," he said. "There's a lot going on down there and we feel like this could be another big part of what's to come and what can be."
He said Fort Steuben Maintenance’s donation is much-needed and will "get the Grand through this winter," he said. "We've come a long way and the show must go on, so their support makes that happen."
He said donations are always welcome and may be mailed to the Grand Theater, 121 S. 4th St., Steubenville. With a pricey to-do list like the Grand has, Dressel said he'd love to hear from anyone interested in making a named donation.
Meanwhile, Dressel said they'll open the Grand up during Steubenville's Christmas parade, Dec. 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., so the public can walk through the building and see the progress they've made.
Tickets are already on sale for December events: The 2026 Wooden Heart Follies, an original play, will be presented Dec. 4, 5 and 6; A Christmas Carol (Dec. 16, 17 and 18); and A Celtic Christmas (Dec. 19). There will also be Wurlitzer Organ Workshop & Concerts each Saturday in December in the Grand's Stage Right venue.