'Thanks for saving me'

Up until Saturday at  9:30 p.m., the Imogene Theater was thought to have been deserted.

For over two years, the theater had the quote “Thanks for saving me” in its announcement box that is mounted above the main entrance to the theater.

On Saturday, the Imogene showed its gratitude to the people who helped save it after a fire gutted its insides back in January 2009 by allowing members of the Santa Rosa Historical Society to hit the switch to light up its marquee to a crowd of about 50.

The unveiling was over two years in the making as crews finally restored power to the theater earlier this month.

Many gathered to watch the light up celebration Saturday night on the courthouse lawn.

Just this past week, Sanborn Builders, the construction company that is working on the renovation project, installed the theater’s new windows that were blown out during the fire back in January 2009.

The theater is scheduled for completion in by fall.