By Megan Decker
Staff Writer
CARO — Tuscola County Probate Court Judge Nancy L. Thane approved the sale of the Vassar Theatre during a hearing on Friday.
The sister to late Vassar Theatre owner Timothy S. O’Brien proposes to sell the theater to Andreas Fuchs of Connecticut, described in his blog as a “theatre-history advocate” who operated his family’s theaters in Germany before moving to the U.S.
In June, Thane named O’Brien’s sister, Patricia A. Uebbing of Melvindale, as heir to the theater, and appointed Uebbing as personal representative of the estate. O’Brien wasn’t married at the time of his death and had no children or any other siblings. No will had been filed to direct distribution of his property.
According to records of the court, Fuchs proposes to buy the 371-seat theater for $138,000. Notices were given to all interested parties and no objections to the sale had been made prior to Friday’s hearing.
The purchase will be made in cash which will allow for the payment of all debts and attorney fees.
According to court documents, Vassar Theatre LLC — seller of the theater — owes $65,000 in debts and taxes. The estimated attorney fees associated with the estate equal approximately $26,000.
The proposal allows Fuchs 45 days from the execution of the sale agreement to inspect the theater and — if he wishes — terminate the agreement for any reason.
Fuchs hopes to keep the Vassar Theatre operating as a theater, according to Tjader Gerdom, owner of Gerdom Realty and Investments in Novi, which represents O’Brien’s estate.
The parties involved with the sale were pleased with Fuchs’ intentions.
“We understand that it’s the purchaser’s intent to continue operating the (business) as a theater, and there are no objections made from the Vassar Downtown Development Authority or the city of Vassar,” City Manager Brad Barrett told the court on Friday.
“I’m not biased or prejudiced, but it’s heartwarming for the community that this will continue to operate as a theater,” Thane said.
Following Thane’s ruling, the court was notified that Fuchs may be prepared to schedule a closing as early as next week.
Vassar’s art deco movie house, restored and upgraded by O’Brien, has been closed since his death on March 19.
Advertiser staff writer Tom Gilchrist contributed to this report.