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)

Credit: RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com

Credit: 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)

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.

Listen to accessAtlanta now or open in Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also listen and download the podcast using the player above.

Podcast: Fandemic Tour convention to celebrate ‘The Walking Dead’

Podcast: A conversation with the stars of ‘Critter Fixers: Country Vets’

Podcast: Rodney Ho talks with Yacht Rock Revue

Podcast: Woodstock man creates 1980s era video store in his basement

Podcast: Georgia’s Chuck Leavell on his tree farm, the Rolling Stones and Charlie Watts

Podcast: A look at some of the best films of 2021

Podcast: Our dining team talks tacos and the Atlanta restaurant scene

Podcast: Criminal Records celebrates 30 years

Podcast: How the Rosenwald Schools powered a renaissance in Black America

Podcast: Landmarks that celebrate Georgia’s musical heritage