Jeffrey S. Smith
Downtown Cowtown at the Isis, while under construction
Fort Worth is a city with a strong sense of identity, one built upon a mix of roots and modern spunk. As the city welcomes the future with the emergence of new companies, stores, and talents, it is also embracing the old.
Jeffrey Smith is hoping to highlight one of Fort Worth's historic treasures with the reopening of the Isis Theater, now called Downtown Cowtown at the Isis, located in the Fort Worth Stockyards. The original grand opening of the approximately 500-seat performing arts theater was scheduled for Jan. 7. That didn't happen, but later, singer-songwriter Sundance Head announced he would be performing the theater's grand opening on March 12. But, due to factors associated with COVID-19 and the uncharacteristic Texas snowstorm, the opening had to be postponed altogether.
Smith says an exact date is unknown, but it will be in March.
“We are anticipating opening before the end of the month,” Smith says. “We will be open and operational in April.”
Smith, alongside his wife Debbie Garrett-Smith, has been working since 2017 to remodel and refurbish the historic theater, which was built in 1914.
“It has just been a slow methodical process,” says Jeffrey Smith. “I wanted to make sure that we were historically accurate.”
Smith estimates that the COVID-19 pandemic pushed back the opening by eight to 10 weeks due to shipping delays and that the snowstorm in February cost them another week.
Despite the delays, Smith says he thinks it all worked out for the best: “We needed to postpone, and now we will be opening at about the same time that the state of Texas is opening back up too.”
Smith says he and his wife appreciate the patience of the Stockyards community as the two get ready to open the theater's doors.
“They have been 110% supportive of what we're trying to accomplish, and they have been there constantly checking in with us, asking if we need anything,” Smith says. “The city of Fort Worth has been amazing as well.”
On opening night, Smith says he's excited to be able to welcome a full house of patrons who are there not only to hang out but also to observe the historic building and appreciate its beauty.
“We are excited just to have the doors open, to welcome the public,” Smith says. “It’s been a labor of love.”
