Despite appearances, the building that was once home to The Colony theater is not in danger.

"I don't know where that rumor comes from," said Chris Robinson. "Seems like every time we get ready to grow, people think we're going to tear down The Colony. But one again that simply is not the case."

Robinson's Funeral Home broke ground Thursday for an addition to it's facility. While the front of the funeral home will take up of the former movie theater's parking lot, there will still be room for parking after the expansion. And there are no plans to demolish The Colony.

The theater went out of business several years ago, after a variety of owners tried different concepts to make the historic theater competitive with the modern theaters that are now available. When the property became available for sale, Robinson's Funeral Home bought it because it was adjacent to their property on South First Street. Nothing was done to the property at the time, except a large sign was place in the parking lot, directing out of town visitors to the funeral home.

Five Points Church leased the theater property and met there for more than a year. But the church has recently purchased the property that was formerly home to Crane Chevrolet and has plans to move there soon.

The Robinsons are very aware of the historic value of the theater and the sentimental need for its preservation.

"This was one the hangout for several generations of Easley youth," Chris Robinson said. "We respect what it means to the people of this town"

Alfred Robinson noted that there is some interest in preserving the theater as an historic landmark.

"We'll have to see how that goes," Alfred Robinson said.