The man who bought the Peoples Theater in 2006 says he has not given up on renovating the venue.

Eric Bowman, a New Jersey attorney, said in a telephone interview with The Spin yesterday he plans to seek grant funding next year to fund restoration. He also plans to fix two other buildings he bought on Roanoke Avenue and use them as shell buildings, buildings designed to lure potential businesses into them.

Bowman, a real estate attorney who bought the theater when he was in Arizona, said problems with the Roanoke Rapids Theatre and the slow growth of Carolina Crossroads deterred immediate plans to restore the theater. “I sat back a little bit because of the recession and the economy,” he said. “I love this little old town.”

The building is in poor condition. At the time Bowman bought the the theater, there was a crew working to weatherproof the building. Repairs at the time were also done to fix holes in the roof that left the stage exposed. Water had to be pumped out of the flooded orchestra pit.

On a recent visit to Myrtle Beach he stopped to look at his property. He said he noticed how business in the shops off Premier Boulevard was brisk. Chick-fil-A was packed. He wants to see the same thing happen for the Avenue.

Bowman considered applying for a grant soon after he bought the building but learned another project was seeking funds so he backed off. That project, however, never received funds. With hopes the economy will turn in 2010, he plans to apply for Rural Center funds and other available grants which could help him renovate the theater.

He also owns the salon/radio station building and plans to put in what he calls a nice glass front for that to draw potential businesses to that area of the Avenue.

He still plans to restore the theater to bring in musical acts and show films. “I want to renovate that old building,” he said.