The Latchis Memorial Building was built by the Latchis Family as a testament to the life and work of Demetrius P. Latchis, who emmigrated to the U.S. from Greece in 1901. Starting with a push cart from which he sold fruit, Demetrius' business holdings grew to include a chain of 14 theaters throughout New England. In 1938 his sons opened and dedicated the Latchis Memorial Building to his memory.

Billed as "A Town Within a Town - All Under One Roof," the 60-room hotel, ballroom, 1,200-seat capacity motion picture palace, coffee shop, dining room, and gift shop were touchstones in the lives of many area residents. Today, the building is still very much a part of the economic and artistic vitality of downtown Brattleboro.

The Latchis is an Art Deco four-story landmark structure on the National Register of Historic Places. Housed within the complex today are 3 movie screens including a 750-seat grand old movie palace with balcony; the Latchis Hotel; a restaurant; the New England Youth Theater; Evan James Jewelers; and Adivasi, a shop of cultural products from India.

In March 2003 the Brattleboro Arts Initiative, in partnership with the Preservation Trust of Vermont, purchased the Latchis Memorial Building from the Latchis family to pursue the long-sought-after goal of creating a first-rate center for the arts in downtown Brattleboro. Restoration plans are on-going. Several million dollars will need to be raised to improve, protect and enhance the building and its place in the arts community.

Included in the restoration plan:

Learn more about the Brattleboro Arts Initiative and The Latchis Project at www.brattleboroarts.org.