READERS REACT: What Should the Ioka Become?

The of the downtown Ioka building has struck a nerve in town.

For years, the Ioka was a movie theater. More recently, it was used as a stage for musical performances and exercise classes.

Readers here have been vocal about what they would like to see the building become. Here's a sampling:

• "Restore the historic theater and I will start to go to the movies again." – Jessica Briand
• "PLEASE – would someone open an excellent restaurant there? We have one or two in town but we desperately need another one." – Paula Francese
• "How about a wax museum that would include vintage stars and local historical figures?" – Chris McCarthy
• "(Have it) remain a center for art, whether it be plays, music or maybe even the occasional movie." – John McCarthy
• "I don't know. Something historic. But whatever it is ... do not change the outside of the building. At all. Not even the name." – RJ Sawyer

Also, the majority of voters in a said they would like to see the Ioka become a theater again.

Susan Doonan Bielski, however, thought that was a bad idea.

"These people are living in an alternate reality," she wrote on our Facebook page.

The auction will be held tomorrow.