South Bend 2.0 - Revitalizing the State $1 at a time

SOUTH BEND – It's a South Bend icon that's gone through a lot over the past few years.

We're talking about the State Theatre.

Efforts started late last year to revive the landmark and it's working.

But now, owners say they need more money to make the theatre attractive again.

So, they're launching a campaign aimed at creating a new vibe in the old building.

It was once a hot spot.

A place to see and be seen. In the 1920s, the State Theatre in South Bend was flourishing.

Fast forward 90 years – it now looks a little rundown. It still has the beautiful frame, but the core of it needs work.

But even that is a big step from where the State was a few years ago.

It now has electricity complete with lights lining the stairs, reminiscent of the golden days.

"We've also had our sprinklers worked on, so we've had that situation fixed and that was a huge milestone for us," said property manager of the State, Drew Elegente.

Elegente is a Notre Dame MBA graduate and stayed in South Bend after business school to take on the challenge of returning the State to its legendary status.

He said it's all a part of what he calls "South Bend 2.0." It's another way to revitalize the city.

"The important thing about this is just to get people in the door," he said.

But to do that this place needs to be fixed up from the marquee and roof outside to the décor inside.

"We need chairs, couches, lights, sound," Elegente said.

So, to get the cash to do this, he's launching a crowd funding campaign in the next week.

"Crowd funding is a new way of accessing money for whatever your idea is," Elegente said.

His idea is this: Let consumers help rebuild the State. And by help, he means donate right here on his site: fund.thestatesb.com

"You're contributing to something you want to see because you believe in it but you're not necessarily getting an ownership stake in what you're contributing to," Elegente said.