Since its construction in 1938, the Lakewood Theater has been considered by many to be the darling of East Dallas.
But 77 years after opening, the doors of the Lakewood are now closed and thousands of residents are worried about its future.
"It means more than just a neighborhood theater," longtime Lakewood resident Jeanette Crumpler said. "It means at least four generations of people who loved going when they were kids. And their parents went and their grandparents went."
Crumpler, 82, has lived in Lakewood nearly as long as the theater has been around. She's even published two books regarding the theater's deep history.
"That's why we're so concerned about what's going done to it," she said. "These owners seem to make no effort to preserve anything."
In a phone conversation with NBC 5, Lakewood Theater co-owner Craig Kinney said that's far from the truth.
"We love the Lakewood Theater," said Kinney.
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Kinney and his partner, Bill Willingham, have been looking for new tenants since the previous ones left. Kinney said they've tried to work with the owners of the Alamo Drafthouse about a possible lease but said it "doesn't seem feasible at the moment." There were also rumors about striking a deal with the owners of the Texas Theater, but Kinney called that "a long shot."
Kinney said Plan B so far is to divide the theater into smaller places for restaurant and retail but to keep the outside of the theater the same. Kinney said he's tried to assure residents.
"People don't believe what we say," he said. "We've tried to reassure and reassure for seven months so far without success."
Residents like Crumpler and fellow advocate Carol Bell-Walton said it's not just the outside of the Lakewood that's important to preserve, but the inside as well.
"It's an art deco building at the art deco feeling carries throughout inside," she said. "It's got a beautiful curved staircase and old murals from the 30s."
That's why she and thousands are now petitioning for the Lakewood to become an official landmark. More than 2,000 people have signed the online petition.
Kinney said he and his partner don't fully understand the implications if that were to happen, but that they are talking to their lawyers.
Bell-Walton said she simply wants the owners to understand how much the theater means to locals.
"For the people of Lakewood, it's very personal," she said. "This is a landmark that's loved by so many people in the neighborhood."
The first meeting to petition for the theater becoming a Dallas landmark is at 1 p.m. Sept. 8.
