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Podcast: The future of Atlanta’s historic Plaza Theatre

Christopher Escobar, owner of the Plaza Theatre, is behind the efforts to reopen Tara Cinema. (Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com)
Christopher Escobar, owner of the Plaza Theatre, is behind the efforts to reopen Tara Cinema. (Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com)
Shane Harrison
By Shane Harrison

This week, we’re going to hear about an Atlanta landmark that’s looking to the future.

Located in the Briarcliff Plaza shopping center, now branded Plaza on Ponce, the Plaza Theatre is the only independently owned movie theater remaining inside the Perimeter and the longest continuously operating one of its kind in Atlanta. Christopher Escobar, 35, purchased the Plaza in 2017 and recently signed a 25-year lease with Asana Partners, who bought the Plaza on Ponce shopping center five years ago. Despite the societal challenges working against him - the rise of streaming, the pandemic, fancy multiplexes - he sees a pathway to make the Plaza even more of a neighborhood magnet, a community hub, a gathering spot. And he has big plans. Rodney Ho spoke with Escobar about those plans and the future of the Plaza Theatre for this week’s podcast.Find it at ajc.com/podcasts and at the Apple Podcast store.

Atlanta Podcasts from the AJC

Explore the latest epsiode of these podcasts about Atlanta from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, including Atlanta sports teams, things to do in Atlanta, Georgia politics and elections, Georgia true crime and newsmakers.

Politically Georgia: Hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy offer fact-based news on Georgia politics and the 2022 election.

Hawks Report: Host Lauren Williams interviews players, coaches and experts of interest to Atlanta Hawks fans.

Things to Do in Atlanta: Get ready for the weekend with this podcast about things to do and places to go this week in Atlanta

Breakdown: The award-winning Georgia true crime podcast hosted by journalist Bill Rankin. The current season explores The Trump Grand Jury in Georgia examining the 2020 presidential election

Each of our podcasts are also on Spotify, Castbox and Stitcher. No matter where you listen to AJC podcasts, be sure to subscribe and review.

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