Exeter Businesses Rally Behind Ioka Effort

A bunch of Exeter businesses have joined the Exeter Theater Company's effort to revive the downtown Ioka theater.

Local philanthropist Alan Lewis recently bought the building for $600,000. He's now working with the nonprofit company to reopen it.

The group is trying to get 1,000 donors by the end of March to demonstrate support for the project. More information can be found on the group's website.

Here are some of the business that have helped out:

• The is giving $10 gift cards to people who join the Exeter Theater Company
• offered $10 discounts for the first 100 clients that joined . "A busy, vibrant downtown is the key to the Exeter area's prosperity," said Roger Goun, of the hospital. "A reborn Ioka in the heart of downtown will play an important role in the life of the community, and we are delighted to do our part to help make it happen."
• is offering $10 gift cards for all patrons who joined as members. “The Ioka is the nucleus to downtown Exeter and it is sad to see it empty," said owner Ken Linn. "The Ioka will help increase visibility and business to downtown Exeter. It is worthwhile investment for any business to help out in any way they can."
• ecm Design is helping out. "The Ioka Theater can, once again, bring (energy) to Exeter every day of the week,” said owners David Black and Beth Dupell.
• staff joined the Ioka membership program
• Amanda Steere’s Scentsy, A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words, , , , and Wingate Spa are all spreading the word at their stores, through their mailing lists, and social media websites.

Tomorrow night, the Exeter Theater Company will be at “Open Mike Night” at Exeter Bowling Lanes/Shooter’s Pub at 8 p.m. Owner Rob Ficara, Sr. recognizes the role that social capital plays in building community:

"Towns lose their identity when people don't get out of the house and meet face to face. Social networking has its place, but it doesn't have the feel of being with friends, seeing a good laugh in someone’s eyes, feeling the notes of live music or knowing the acting of a performance is just feet away from us ... We'd love for everyone to come bowling, play pool or go dancing but the idea of people having multiple choices in town would be motivation to visit Exeter. The more there is to do, the more venues to visit, the more likely we are to be a town of choice for people to come out and spend some recreational dollars. We don't see the new Ioka as competition but as a partner in enriching the community spirit."