Mayfair supporters go into ‘panic mode,’ voice support for theatre whose building is for sale

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The Mayfair Theatre’s owners are encouraged that supporters are slamming the possibility that it might have to close after news broke this week that the Bank Street institution’s building was up for sale.

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“As we saw on social media today, a whole bunch of our lovely patrons went into panic mode,” co-owner Josh Stafford, co-owner of the almost 90-year-old independent movie theatre, said Wednesday. “It’s very nice to be thought of. Once again, people have our backs during potential bad news.”

Stafford said he knew very little about the building, which has a heritage designation, being up for sale. His landlord gave him no notice and he found out after a neighbouring business showed him the online listing, he said.

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The building that includes three businesses — the theatre and its neighbours Quinn’s Ale House and Opus Barber Shop  — is listed with an asking price of $2,999,900.

The listing highlights the potential profitability of the Mayfair space, stating that the theatre pays a rent of $11.56 per square foot that is “way below market value.” One year remains in the theatre’s lease, the listing says, adding: “This space can be converted easily to other shops and will definitely bring greater return once fully occupied. The second tenant is a barber and Quinn Pub whom (sic) both have been their (sic) for many years. This property has a lot of potential for redevelopment.”

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The listing was posted Tuesday night on a Facebook page for Old Ottawa South, drawing the ire of dozens of commenters, including one who asked: “Who is going to organize the joint ownership corporation to buy the site and keep the Mayfair there?”

The listing does not state that the Mayfair, which opened in 1932, enjoys heritage designation. “Any potential buyer should know the internal features are heritage protected,” tweeted Ottawa Councillor Shawn Menard, whose ward includes the Mayfair.

Menard tweeted his support for protecting the theatre if a redevelopment application were to come before council.

Lesley Collins, program manager in the city’s heritage planning branch, confirmed that any proposed redevelopment of the Mayfair’s building having an impact on the interior or exterior heritage attributes of the property would require council approval.

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The city’s statement of cultural heritage value or interest for the Mayfair calls it “a rare example of a Spanish Revival style atmospheric auditorium” and “the oldest surviving movie theatre in Ottawa and the last of its type.

“It exhibits a high degree of craftsmanship typical of the era, including a painted ceiling with ornate stone facades, and faux balconies along the side walls which give the appearance of a Mediterranean plaza, wrought ironwork, and ornamental glass windows that complete the effect.”

An independently run single-screen cinema is “a true rarity nowadays, all over the world,” Stafford said, adding praise for Ottawa since it has staunchly supported not only his theatre, but also the ByTowne Cinema. That Rideau Street repertory theatre, which opened in 1988, closed on Christmas Eve last year, but is expected to re-open under new management.

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In 2008, the Mayfair was in peril when its owner at the time planned to close the theatre. Almost immediately, supporters mobilized to save it. That fall, city council voted to designate the Mayfair a heritage building. Two of the current owners were able to lease the building from its owner, and the Mayfair evolved from showing second-run commercial films to becoming a more eclectic repertory theatre.

Stafford said he hoped for “a new landlord who loves independent cinema” and he refused to panic now, given that the Mayfair has survived the arrival of a multiplex theatre at Lansdowne Park and being shut down due to COVID-19.

During the pandemic, Stafford found sponsors willing to “buy” seats in the theatre, rent out the theatre for a wedding and rent the marquee to announce the births of babies, he said.

“It’s been very heartening just how people have been willing to help us during these COVID times,” he said.

“There’s going to be a whole lot of people fighting for us and we will continue to fight as well.”

phum@postmedia.com