Traco Theater in Downtown Toms River Opens for Business

An idea born in 1924 as the has been reborn in downtown Toms River. Opening night was Friday, as the venue debuted a comedy show as its inaugural night of entertainment.

The original Traco has been absent for decades. It operated as a theater until the late 1950s; then, it became a drugstore. The building stood where the parking lot adjacent to the is now.

But when Kim Ratto and Helen Harris, proprietors of the , planned to create an entertainment destination for Toms River, Ratto turned to the historic name with the blessing of the Hirschblond family, the operators of the original. Traco is an acronym for Toms River Arts Company.

The Traco Theater has been taking shape all summer and fall in the spot next to the Cookie Cab.

There's a door between the eatery and the venue, so patrons can get a bite on the new dinner menu for . The eatery has redesigned itself, adding another display case and accommodating for dinner crowds.

A strong three-performer lineup opened on Friday night.

Performing as emcee was Patrick Howitt, a young up-and-coming comic with the New Jersey comedy festival under his belt.

Featured performers on opening night included Joanne Filan, who comes from the stages of Caroline’s, Gotham Comedy Club, Stand Up New York, Boston Comedy Club, The Duplex, The Comedy Cellar, and Rose’s Turn.

Headliner Jason Schneider's biography includes work as a contributing writer to Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update.”

Though kicking off with a night of comedy, the Traco is aiming for seven nights a week of entertainment, for example showing "independent films ranging from dramas, suspense, thrillers, action and mysteries will be showing seven days a week with evening and weekend hours." The theater will also be available to rent.

For more information, call 732-228-7273 and visit the Traco website.

Writer JD Watson contributed to this article.