Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1340266
creatively use the space for purposes reminiscent of its past. But that 's not a requirement. "ere's not as much history available on the Bibb like there is for many sites downtown," said Josh Rogers, NewTown's president and CEO. "From what people tell us, it was just taken for granted as a place they could always go see movies of the day." Rogers did prepare a brief Bibb eatre history citing trade journals and material from the Telegraph newspaper dating back to its opening. Notes show the Bibb was opened by statewide theater owner Fred Weiss in a three-story building once occupied by Montgomery Ward, the Belle Millinery Company, Carter Hardware and Supply Co. and possibly others. Neither Rogers nor others close to the Bibb had a precise closing date but some remember going there in the mid-1970s, possibly early-1980s. Karen Lambert heads the Peyton Anderson Foundation and is a Middle Georgia native who grew up in Lizella. "I was a country girl and remember the Bibb always being there when our family came to town to shop," she said. "I do remember seeing Westerns on Saturdays and it seems they were two-for-one double features. Sometimes you could get in by donating canned goods and they say people used to use those Capitola Flour tokens to get in. e Bibb was part of the scenery, part of a thriving downtown. We hope it can be that again." Rogers said potential buyers look at the Bibb, ones he hopes will bring their good ideas that might range from a brewery to a food court to – well, he says the sky's the limit. ough overall history is sketchy, the Bibb can claim ahead-of-its-time marketing creativity. Long before "e Rocky Horror Picture Show" made dressing up and imitating film a thing, a 1950 Box Office magazine reports that the Bibb staff dressed as pirates when "Treasure Island" was shown and audiences participated in dime-store- prize treasure hunts in the theater. e report called the promotion a great success. CGCC'S DR. BRADLEY SUMRALL WITH PATIENT Today's biotechnologies are improving cancer therapies, bringing us new hope each and every day. For over four decades Central Georgia Cancer Care physicians have laid the groundwork for cancer care advances through clinical trial participation networking with research hospitals across the country — all to ensure each and every patient gets the most innovative, effective care. Central Georgia Cancer Care is one of the few Georgia oncology practices to be selected as an Oncology Care Model practice, shaping cancer care for the future. Make sure you have an oncology team who's ahead of the learning curve. Choose Central Georgia Cancer Care — right here at home. 800 First Street, Suite 410 Macon, GA 31201 478-743-7068 114 Sutherlin Drive, Suite C-1 Warner Robins, GA 31088 478-287-6144 CONNECT EDUCATE ADVOCATE ACCELERATE What can we do for your business? Visit maconchamber.com FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 | maconmagazine.com 81