CHAMPAIGN – The historic Art Theatre in downtown Champaign will have a new operator at the start of the year.

Sanford Hess of Champaign said he will continue to show art and independent films in the theater, at 126 W. Church St.

Hess, who works in the software industry, said he has never done anything like this before.

But he loves movies. And he has loved going to the Art while living in Champaign in recent years.

"It's been a dream of mine to have this kind of business," he said.

The name will remain the Art Theatre. And he plans to continue features such as no advertisements shown before films. He supports the idea of holding film festivals and offering different types of programming, and he plans to spend a lot of time in the theater.

"I look forward to interacting with my customers and getting instant feedback on how things are going," he said.

"The basic gist of the movies will not change. We may experiment a little. Greg (Boardman, the current operator) has done a great job of programming and has a loyal following," he said.

Hot pretzels and iced tea will still be offered, but the food and drink options are expected to be expanded.

Earlier this year Hess successfully petitioned the City of Champaign to create a new liquor license category for theaters. The next step would be to apply for that license which, if approved, would allow him to able to sell beer, wine and other drinks at the Art.

As for the theater itself, no significant structural renovations are planned. Building owner David Kraft and current tenant Greg Boardman have in recent years renovated the concession and lobby area.

"The theater is in great shape. I credit Kraft for doing great job of maintaining it, and he and Greg put in a concession stand that is so much nicer than what existed before. They've taken the building huge steps forward," Hess said.

The Art Theatre dates to 1913. It's a single-screen theater.

"I am happy there will be a local operator. That's good news," said Kraft. Kraft at one time had put the building up for sale, but said he was no longer actively trying to sell it. "I'm happy we have secured an operator for at least the next several years," he said.

Greg Boardman, a Vermilion County native who lives in California, has rented the theater since 2003. He sold his theater equipment and furnishings to Hess. His lease ends Dec. 31.

Boardman was considering a move across the street into the Rialto, a theatre located inside the Russell Building at 123 W. Church St. But that is no longer the plan.

In an e-mail newsletter Boardman said, "While I would have loved the challenge and I love large, old, single-screen theatres, unfortunately, the owners of the Rialto Theatre did not feel the time was right for them. Other locations were explored, but none would have been ready in a timely manner," he wrote.

"There was an issue about resources, financing, our time, as well as his timetable," said Bill Capel, owner with Ernie Martin of the Russell Building.

To operate the Rialto as a theater, the building would need a lobby and entrance, a marquee, seats, more restroom facilities, a screen, and projection and sound equipment, Capel said.

He and Martin have owned the Russell building since the early 1990s. It used to be part of the Robeson department store complex.

"We think it's a treasure," Capel said.

In the near future, the theater will remain as Capel's photography studio. However, he and Martin are still considering ideas in which they could bring it back to life "in a manner that is both historically respectful and financially sustainable."

"We're trying to be respectful of the building and its art," he said referring to, as one example, a mural that depicts the University of Illinois campus.

Martin and Capel said they are seeking any photographs, objects or historical information about the Rialto. If you have information you'd like to share, contact Ernie Martin or Bill Capel via e-mail at ernie<@>capel.com or bill<@>capel.com.

As for the Art, the theater will be open on Jan. 1 when Hess takes over, but at this point he's not sure which film will be shown at that time. A grand opening will be planned for sometime after the University of Illinois begins its spring semester. A new Web site is also planned.