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The Strand Theatre’s facade will soon be changing in a good way, Rolin Construction Inc. President Stephanie Rolin said on Sept. 15.

Rolin was the guest speaker at the Atmore Lions Club’s meeting at the Country Club. She spoke about her company’s progress on the construction renovation project of the theatre and the Old Hardware Store next door.

The construction kick off was celebrated in June during a wine and bourbon tasting event. Construction and renovation officially kicked off about began about a month ago, Rolin said.

“We’re very excited about the Strand Theatre,” Rolins said. “I have worked with the Pride of Atmore on this more than a couple years.”

Rolin said the Pride of Atmore came to her company about three or four years ago about getting an estimate to renovate the theatre and hardware store.

“We went down the road and gave them some value engineering and cost saving ideas,” she said. “We bid the project and were the low bid. We were excited.”

Rolin added that while the project is going to be tough, but it was important to Rolin Construction to give back to Atmore.

Rolin said when construction began, a part of the parking lot next to Gather Restaurant had to be roped off. Given the age of the building – 120 years – it was surprising and shocking to see how contractors constructed the buildings, she said.

“We found signs from the 1800s from the old hardware store,” she said. “You know it’s a special project when you come across a working sewer drain from 1928. The old elevatore and electrical still work.”

Rolin said the entire inside has bee demolished.

“We are working very slowly,” she said. “We have the entire inside demolished. We have to be very careful.”

Rolin said the company is concentrating on the hardware store first. The Strand Theatre’s old roof will be replaced as well.

“We are very excited about the Strand,” she said. “This will be a signature job for us because it’s historical. I think our completion date is August to September 2022.”