The Princess Makes The News Again!

HARRIMAN, Tenn. (WVLT - Hilary Magacs) -- The Princess Theatre used to be Harriman's crown jewel: "Everyone around the county went to the Princess Theater at one time. It was a lot of fun," said Jesse Rittenhouse, who lives in Harriman. But it fell on hard times and closed in the 90s. In 2012, the Princess Theatre Foundation reopened the theater as a show and concert venue. 

Now, after a lot of fundraising, movies are coming back. The foundation bought a $14,000 movie screen and got a donated projector. "We're really excited about our first movie that we're going to show - an old classic movie. "It's a Wonderful Life". We're going to show that December the 12th at 7 o'clock," said Chris Mason, Mayor of Harriman. 

"I think there's a lot of grandparents that remember coming here as kids and so I think it will be very special for them to be able to bring their grandkids or their children with them," said Megan Anderson, manager of the Princess Theatre. 

A few doors down, Simply Sweet Bakery expects business to increase. They're extending store hours on movie days - and they're even offering special deals: "We'll give them 10 percent off their meal as long as they bring in their ticket with them," said Mike Borman, co-owner of Simply Sweet Bakery. 

Mason said that's the goal - bring people downtown to enjoy themselves at the movies, while supporting other businesses as well. 

Again, the first movie will be "It's a Wonderful Life" on December 12 at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but you're asked to bring canned goods to donate to the hungry. 

For more information on the Princess Theatre and to see a schedule of events, click this LINK.