Monday, October 6, 2008

The Riverplex offers entertainment for all ages

By Sarah Poulton

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — After being vacant for decades, the old Warner Bros. Theater has come to life.

The Riverplex at the Cascade Center on South Mill Street is nearing completion, and open for business. The newly-remodeled entertainment center has a big-city feel, in small-town USA.

Cascade Center partner Peter Medure said this project has been underway for about 10 years.

“It is meant to revitalize the downtown community,” Peter Medure said.

Earla Marshall of Image Consultants said the Riverplex is in the same building that housed Warner Brothers’ first permanent theater. Marshall said they are working with the city and commonwealth to replicate that theater, incorporating historical and educational aspects.

As you walk through the main entrance, you’re hit with a combination of nostalgia and modern flair. Straight ahead is the entrance of The Basin — the complex’s night spot.

Marshall described The Basin as “fun and casual.” Through the day and early evening, Marshall said old and young gather for sandwiches, salads and hot wings, but The Basin’s true colors are shown after 10 p.m. when young adults come out for an exciting night life experience.

The Basin has a DJ on Friday and Saturday nights, and Marshall said it’s not uncommon for patrons to dance on the bar. Aside from the DJ, Nintendo Wii and PS3 are available to patrons.

Riverplex General Manager Jack Medure said The Basin is unlike other area nightspots because it has more of a nightclub feel.

“It’s a real high energy environment,” Jack Medure said. “It’s unique.”

As you exit the Basin and find your way up the spiral staircase, two other establishments may attract your attention.

Stage 3, the complex’s comedy and live music venue, is the newest project in The Riverplex. Peter Medure said Stage 3 opened at the end of August, and is booked with comedy acts every weekend.

“The reason we named it ‘Stage 3’ is it was the third stage the Warner Brothers were building before they went to New York City,” Peter Medure said. “Modern vaudeville is what we’re going after. It’s our version of the spectacles.”

Jack Medure, general manager, said Stage 3 is already equipped with a high-end sound system. They have it set up for plug and play, and have the ability to do live recordings.

“It’s really a great project if you’re coming for the audio,” Jack Medure said. “Between the sound, the size of the stage and the intense lighting package, it’s a great place to showcase [music].”

As of now, Stage 3 has comedy acts on Friday and Saturday evenings. Medure said he’s hoping to book musical acts. He said they tried to have a band about a month ago, but the group was not received well by their audience.

“Right now, it’s a lack of talent,” Jack Medure said. “We haven’t been able to find someone our audience likes.”

Jack Medure said he also wants to host open-mic nights and talent competitions at Stage 3.

Last, but certainly not least, is The Mill Street Grille. The Grille offers an elegant dining experience, indoor or outdoor, overlooking the Shenango River.

Peter Medure said The Mill Street Grille, which opened in Feb. 2006, serves as the central hub of the project, and the rest was built around it. The upscale restaurant, complete with a cigar humidor next to the bar, features fresh steaks, seafood and create-your-own pasta dishes.

As the project expands, he said he hopes the building will draw people from other communities to the complex.

Peter Medure said he hopes to attract regional retail stores, including but not limited to a bookstore, clothing stores, and a kitchen store, to accompany the entertainment and restaurants already established at the Riverplex.

“The whole idea is for the three spaces to synergize together with the hope that retail will follow,” Peter Medure said. “This is small town USA. It’s meant to rekindle what it was like in the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s.”

On a side note, there is a small, outdoor amphitheater, located on the side of other building. Marshall said the amphitheater is owned by the city, but considered part of the Riverplex. During the summer, in conjunction with the Downtown Business Association, the amphitheater played host to live bands every other Friday night.

“It’s very ‘Bring your own lawn chairs and enjoy the music free-of-charge,’” Marshall said.