After the 1994 Northridge earthquake the City of Fillmore purchased the building. Though extensive fund raising by citizens in the Save the Towne Theatre Committee, as well as federal and state grants, such as those given by the State Historic Preservation Office, the theatre was restored. After the restoration (costing in excess of $1 million), it reopened in 1996. The latest movies were shown until the city decided to close it in 2011.