ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Archer Music Hall, Allentown's downtown entertainment venue is brand new — so new, it had its official ribbon-cutting and first concert Thursday.
But its roots in the city go extremely deep, officials said in a ceremony to open the venue.
The block on what is being called a state-of-the-art facility is built was the home of the Rialto Theater, which for 67 years brought cinema and other shows, said J.B. Reilly, president of developers City Center Group.
And Archer's spirit can be traced to the former Crocodile Rock Cafe, which for a decade was one of the best-attended clubs in the world and offered a broad variety of genres as the Archer intends to.
But for Reilly, the Archer pays tribute to something even more important.
The opening was "truly a special day not only for downtown Allentown, but for really the entire region."City Center President J.B. Reilly
He revealed at the ceremony that it's named after his immigrant grandfather Frank Archerie, who worked in Scranton coal mines and whose oldest daughter was Reilly's mother "and my inspiration."
"Welcome to Archer Music Hall," Reilly said.
Reilly said the opening was "truly a special day not only for downtown Allentown, but for really the entire region."
Officials with concert giant Live Nation, which will operate the Archer, have said they hope to offer 200 shows a year in Archer's 1,600-capacity main room and smaller, 500-capacity room, The Arrow.
They have said they hope to sell more than 240,000 tickets a year, which would make it one of the busiest clubs of its size in the United States.
A pathway to success
Reilly revealed that City Center's relationship with Live Nation, which the developer announced in October, started far earlier — with officials meeting and touring venues for eight years.
In his remarks, Reilly thanked Live Nation Regional President Geoff Gordon for "your vision and your patience — I think it will be worth it."
In an interview, Reilly said a music venue has been in City Center's plans "from the beginning" of the developer's downtown renovation.
In 2017, City Center announced it would build a 1,400-capacity concert hall — slightly smaller than the Archer, but with doors that would open unto a lawn — at its then-planned Five City Center complex along Seventh Street between Hamilton and Walnut.
That venue died when the building complex idea was abandoned, but the idea never did, Reilly said.
"You have to have a music hall and you have to work with Live Nation."Former Crocodile Rock Cafe owner Joe Clark, as quoted by J.B. Reilly
When City Center's vision changed to develop what now is called Allentown West — an entertainment district with restaurants and attractions — "it became clear the music element should be part of it," he said.
He said it was a matter of "finding the right spot, making it work, and with the synergy around here, this is it."
Reilly said he in particular "wanted to recognize Crocodile Rock" and owner Joe Clark, whose daughter Melissa was at the ceremony. Clark is retired.
"In its heyday, it was a great plan," Reilly said.
He said Clark told him, "You have to have a music hall and you have to work with Live Nation."
Reilly said he hopes Archer is "one notch up from Crocodile Rock."
A parade of praise
Public officials who spoke at the ceremony praised Archer.
State Sen. Nick Miller, D-14th District, said the Archer will bring more "foot traffic" to the area and add to "the momentum in downtown Allentown."
State Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-16th District, said the ceremony marked "such a fantastic day."
"For the first time in a long time, my wife and I don't have to drive to Philadelphia to see a show. This is the attraction of Allentown."
"It will bring incredible moments and magical experiences" that raise the quality of the city.Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk
Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, who came to the podium wearing a punk rock black leather jacket with button picture pins on the lapels, likened Archer to such venues as New York City's fabled punk club CBGB's.
"It will bring incredible moments and magical experiences" that raise the quality of the city, he said.
"This beating heart of the Lehigh Valley now has its soul," Tuerk said.
Molly Warren, head of programming for clubs at Live Nation, said the Archer's lineup has been two years in the planning.
"We're really pleased," Warren said. "It's a special plan. It will be a hub for artistic expression."
In addition to the 37 shows the club already has booked, Warren said it just has booked its first private event, set for this month.
"We're confident in the positive effect Archer music hall will have in the region," she said.
'Really is ready to take off'
Thursday was the Archer's first official event, offering three Lehigh Valley music acts — The Sam Houseal Band, Highest Bidder and Sakura Ryoko.
Archer officials said "100% of the proceeds of the face value of tickets sold" will go to an Allentown School District Foundation scholarship for a student interested in pursuing the arts.
"This is essentially the capstone project of the revitalization of downtown Allentown."City Center President J.B. Reilly
On Saturday, the venue will have its first official concert — by Cavalera, a gold-record-selling metal band from Brazil. Tickets, starting at $18.75, remain available on the Archer website.
That will start the Archer's mission of fulfilling its roots starting with the Rialto Theater, Reilly said.
"This block began as a regional entertainment hub," he said. "This is essentially the capstone project of the revitalization of downtown Allentown.
"Allentown West really is ready to take off — and make an impact on the region like it did a century ago."
