Ready to entertain

Zechariah Baker brings new life to the Beltonian

Story by Catherine Hosman
Photos by Becky Stinehour

Start with classic movies. Add Saturday morning cartoons, local bands and music performances, locally sourced food and beverages. Top it with a vintage organ.

The result is The Beltonian Theatre in downtown Belton — a historic venue that’s been given new life by co-owners Zechariah Baker and his wife, Sara.

“I want to provide a quality of food, comfort, and guest service to keep guests coming back,” he said. “Once you put yourself in your guests’ shoes — what kind of films do they like, music, what time of day — we can cater to what they want going forward.”

Classic films seem to be the best fit for the theater, he said. Since it reopened in October 2017 patrons have been able to enjoy the intrigue of “Casablanca,” the Civil War saga “Gone with the Wind,” the musical “White Christmas,” “ The Polar Express,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and “Singin’ in the Rain,” to name a few.

Folks who haven’t seen a classic movie on the big screen in a long time or who may have never seen a vintage film can get up close and personal with artists from Hollywood’s Golden Age.

And it’s not just the classic American films that are bringing theatergoers. Zechariah formed a partnership with the Czech Museum in Temple to present a free Czech movie each month.

And the variety continues.

On Saturday mornings it’s Breakfast at The Beltonian Theatre, where kids of all ages can enjoy classic cartoons and a breakfast buffet. Zechariah also showcases local bands and musical performances and plans to hold a silent film night once a month.

“We now have an old Baldwin organ that was donated to the theater by the Dow Fogleman family in Temple. Being able to show silent movies to the Central Texas area will be very enlightening and educational. We’ll combine organ with silent movies as a fun way to bring people into the theater,” he said. “Having live music and theater stays true to the history of The Beltonian Theatre.”

One of the selling points for the Bakers to buy the theater was to serve as a legacy to their daughter, Grace Katherine.

“When you work for someone else you leave the legacy of your work but nothing tangible to leave to your children,” Sara said. “Zechariah has worked for someone else and will leave a legacy of good work, but nothing to pass on to our daughter. That made this a desirable project for us as a family.”

Music and hospitality

Zechariah, 40, grew up in Marble Falls where his musical and hospitality careers almost started simultaneously. “My dad directed a youth camp and I saw him and the staff work tirelessly at the camp,” he added. “I saw what a difference it would make.”

After high school graduation, Zechariah entered the music program at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, training in voice. A tenor, he earned a spot on the school’s choir, One Voice, and toured Texas with the group.
During one summer break he returned to Marble Falls and worked the front desk of a local hotel — a position that matched his interest in the hospitality business.

“Hospitality has been a part of his life since growing up at Camp Peniel Christian Camp in Marble Falls where his dad was on staff,” Sara said.

Eventually, the One Voice tour schedule took a toll. In his fifth semester of college Zechariah decided to take a break. He moved home and spent a year working as a line and prep chef at the upscale Russo’s Restaurant in Marble Falls.
But his musical career beckoned him back.

A friend called Zechariah and offered him a place to live if he moved back to Temple to enter Temple College’s music program. He took the offer and became a member of the choir. That’s where he met Sara in 1999.

Their friendship grew and it seemed that their future together was set. But another voice called to Zechariah. This time it was to serve his country.

“I always wanted to serve,” he said. “My paternal grandfather, uncle, cousins and other family members served in the military.”

He joined the Army in 2000 and trained as a forward observer at Fort Benning, Georgia, and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. When his training ended he was assigned to Fort Hood, much closer to Sara. He was deployed to Iraq in 2003 with the 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Two months before his service ended in 2004 he sustained a foot injury which rendered him disabled. When he returned to Temple he and Sara were married.

“I didn’t want to get married while serving in the military,” he said. “I didn’t want to leave behind a family if something happened to me while I was deployed.”

Zechariah returned to UMHB in 2004 and finished his BA in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy. During that time, he and Sara welcomed their daughter. After graduation he performed professional opera with the Chautauqua Opera Co. in New York State, the Pensacola Opera in Florida and the Des Moines Metro Opera in Iowa but felt he needed a little more polish.

When a voice teacher and professional opera singer from Louisiana State University called and offered him an opportunity to complete his master’s degree in opera performance, he said he’d accept but only if they could find a spot for Sara. Their daughter was three.

“Sara worked on her doctorate and I worked on my master of music,” he said.

With LSU behind them, Zechariah said he always imagined a life for himself as a performer, but another voice in the back of his mind kept calling him to open his own business.

“At first I thought it would be a performing arts academy,” he said. “But Temple College and UMHB both have strong conservatory programs. The Cultural Activities Center also offers a wide variety of opportunity. It wasn’t the right time for a performance academy.”

The family returned to Texas and moved to Burleson where Sara taught at Centennial High School and Zechariah worked as a food and beverage manager/operations manager for SpeedZone, a family entertainment center in Dallas. Two years later Sara was offered a job at Temple College and Zechariah was food and beverage manager for Cinergy Cinemas and Entertainment in Copperas Cove. It was the start of his movie theater career.

He fell in love with the world of movie theaters. When The Beltonian Theatre became available in 2015 Sara suggested that he buy it. Zechariah started working on a business plan and a year later he toured the old movie house. Previous owners had renovated the interior and installed stadium seating.

“Renovation was done in 2008. The theater was in great shape. It has some modern touches but still had that old feeling,” he said.

At the end of his business day Zechariah said it’s the guest satisfaction that counts.

“When they leave fulfilled, especially when someone has a good time, when it’s your own business, that’s the best part of my day,” he said.