Committee selects new operator for Rapids Theatre

Operator is one of largest independent concert promoters across upstate

Submitted on behalf of the City of Niagara Falls

The historic Rapids Theatre in Niagara Falls is entering a new chapter. A selection committee, representing New York state, Niagara County and the City of Niagara Falls, has officially selected concert promoter Chris Ring and restaurateur Dale Segal as the new operators of the iconic Main Street indoor concert venue and events center. This marks a significant milestone in the committee’s broader redevelopment of 39 local properties formerly held by Blue Cardinal Capital.

Ring and Segal are co-owners of the Rec Room Buffalo, which opened in 2018 as an entertainment venue space on Chippewa Street in downtown Buffalo. The duo has unveiled various concepts such as the “Saturday Supper Club” and a Sunday brunch where patrons can enjoy fine food, drink and live entertainment. In addition to live concerts, the venue hosts private parties, corporate events, wedding parties and other events and activities.

Ring also is owner of After Dark Entertainment Inc., one of the largest independent concert promoters in upstate New York producing over 250 live events annually in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany and the Fingers Lakes regions.

“To secure operators for the two anchor buildings on Main Street in such a short time is a tremendous boost in revitalizing one of the most visible business districts in our city, and we are confident that this will spur further investment and development in neighboring properties,” Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino said, referring to the redevelopment of the Jenss Department Store building and the selection of the new operator.

The next step in the process is for the new operator to apply for various state and local funding support through existing incentive programs to make various infrastructure improvements.

In submitting applications to the committee, applicants had to provide relevant experience in operating an entertainment venue attraction, a redevelopment and management plan, and how they would achieve economic viability. The committee scored the applications and then narrowed the selection to two applicants who both made presentations to the committee.

The economic viability component of the application always considered the potential for the selected applicant to seek funding through various state and local incentive programs for infrastructure improvements.

The selection committee is comprised of the Niagara Falls Urban Renewal Agency, the Niagara County Economic Development Center, Western New York Regional Office of Empire State Development, and Niagara University.