"We have no rush, because where we are we are doing our work," Adib said. "Hopefully that will be ready sooner than later and we can get that space. . . . I'm doing (this business) mainly because I love it and it's my passion, and that theater has the kind of charm and character architecturally that will suit our purposes very well.

"I've been part of this community, and the community has helped us to get where we are right now, and I want to make sure I am in a way contributing to the community by preserving the landmark."

Grant Smith, a fan of the Villa who operates the villatheatre.com Web site, said Adib's plans are not a big surprise.

"It's nice that it's going to be someone who's going to take good care of the building and not tear it down," Smith said Friday. "Everybody's worry, is that it's going to be demolished. Maybe someday it can return to being a theater."

Once it opens as a rug gallery, Smith said, he probably will go in to take a look. "But I don't buy many Oriental rugs."

Adib said he will operate an "honorable and very dignified" business in the theater.

"Every single friend and family that I talk to, they tell me about a good memory that they have in that building, so these are things that mean so much to me," Adib said.

The Villa opened for business on Dec. 23, 1949, the pride of the Joseph L. Lawrence Theatres. At that time, it featured stadium-style seating and had a capacity of more than 1,300. In 1955, the theater was purchased by Fox Intermountain. More than a half-dozen owners tried their hand at the Villa's reins during its 52-year run as a movie house.

---

E-mail: gkratz@desnews.com