The Historic Nile Theater in Downtown Mesa (105 W. Main St.) is getting a new look for 2018. It is introducing a new logo and website that incorporates the music venue and café under one name and brand image. It will also be the cornerstone of Main Street renovation efforts from the City of Mesa.
On Wednesday, February 28 at 10:30 a.m., Mesa Mayor John Giles will be on hand for a ceremonial groundbreaking to kick off the renovation. Plans include opening up the street-front façade with a modern take on the original theater marquee.
Also to commemorate the changes, The Nile café will have food and drink specials on that day. Guests can get a free coffee with the purchase of a Nile T-shirt sporting the new logo. The café will also have $5 Reggies available all day. The Reggie is a crowd favorite grilled vegan cheese sandwich.
“The logo and joining of the café and theater are final seal on the work we have been doing since taking over the space 7 years ago,” said Michelle Donovan of the Mantooth Group. “The rebranded ties all our efforts together into one complete package and gives us room to grow into what The Nile really has always been – a focal point of entertainment and community for Downtown Mesa.”
The café formerly known as Volstead Public House will become The Nile Café. It will continue to feature a near-100 percent plant-based menu of pastries, sandwiches and salads. Donovan developed the menu based on her non-meat diet when vegan choices were less readily available.
Dishes include The Squawker Texas Ranger ($9.99) with vegan chicken drenched in buffalo sauce, My Boy Blue Sandwich ($9.99) with blueberry BBQ fried chicken, and The Philly ($8.50) with vegan steak sautéed in green and yellow peppers, onions and the café’s special marinade. The café also has daily scones and pastries, coffee, tea and beer.
The celebrations for the day conclude with a show featuring Senses Fail, Reggie and The Full Effect, and Have Mercy. Donovan explains the line up is almost like a reunion tour of bands that have performed at The Nile over the past 20 years.
“These groups bring back a lot of memories from coming to The Nile when I was in high school and college, and now as the owner,” she said.
