It was a showcase to celebrate. Last week, Gowanda residents and officials toured the historic Hollywood Theater in downtown to see all the renovations on a special date — its 95th birthday.

For years, the community has rallied for the theater through significant springtime events and fundraisers. What a difference everyone who has contributed has made.

“It’s a lot of hard work, it’s perseverance,” said theater board President Mark Burr last week. “I believe that getting this theater finished and re-opened will give us the spur to re-do our downtown. We’re no different than any other small community, and the village has made significant investments all over, and we want to make Gowanda a destination.”

Though everyone has taken a hit with COVID-19, there is still a special energy in this village. Downtown will become even stronger with this impressive site.