State shuts Historic Loudon Thea

The Historic Loudon Theatre on Grove Street in downtown Loudon has been closed by a state order related to unpaid taxes.

Representatives from the Tennessee Department of Revenue changed the locks and closed the building earlier this month.

A sign posted on the door of the theater reads, “Warning, Tennessee State Government Seizure. This property has been seized for nonpayment of Tennessee state taxes by virtue of a levy issued by Department of Revenue Collections Services as provided by TCA-67-1-1401 to 67-1-1445. All persons are warned not to remove or tamper with the property in any manner.”

The theater is owned by Loudon and leased to Gordon Whitener, owner of LoCo Drive-in, with an option to purchase that can be exercised in August. The building is currently sublet to Gerry Ragle, who has operated the theater for several years.

Whitener said he doesn’t have a lot of information, but the tax problem apparently involves Ragle.

After the situation with Ragle is settled, Whitener said he plans to purchase the building and continue operating the venue.

“It’s really between the state, Mr. Ragle and the city right now,” Whitener said.

Ragle initially said he was working with representatives from the state to file paperwork that would allow him to reopen the theater. He said Jan. 12 he intended to hold events that night and over the weekend.

Ragle later posted on social media that the theater would be closed for an indefinite period.

“Because of unresolved issues, the Historic Loudon Theatre will cease operation effective immediately until further notice,” Ragle wrote. “We want to thank you for these years of friendship, fun, support, encouragement and love. We plan on reimbursing everyone for events or prepaid concert tickets within the next few days.”

The theater has been booking a variety of acts, including Music Bingo with DJ Mike on Thursdays. Doug Thompson, an Elvis impersonator, was scheduled to appear Jan. 13, The Lancasters on Jan. 21 and The Deltas on Saturday.

Loudon Mayor Jeff Harris said he understood the state order will close the building for at least 30 days.

The building was owned by the Loudon Merchants and Property Owners Association before the city took ownership. A rural development grant of $150,000 was received and used for refurbishing the property, Harris said. Terms of the grant required the city retain ownership for at least five years.

A boutique connected to the building is also included in the lease, he said.

Harris said Ragle has successfully brought performances to the theater, including bands and other entertainment events. The building is also a great venue for hosting groups that helped overall downtown business.

“I have to give him credit for that,” Harris said. “He’s brought a lot of top-notch entertainment that exposed Loudon to people from other places that might not have come to the downtown.”

He said the city intends to keep the venue open after current issues are straightened out.

“The theater is a vital part of our downtown,” he said. “It needs to be operational.”

Harris said he has been in touch with the state and understands arrangements will be made to allow musicians who have equipment in the building to be able to remove their property.