The Heart Theater in Effingham, closed since Jan. 2007, is being put up for auction.

Theater owner Mark McSparin said the single-screen theater no longer "fits the format of his business."

The auction for the Heart Theater is at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 28, at the downtown theater at 133 E. Jefferson Ave.

McSparin, who owns a chain of theaters, bought the Effingham theater in fall 2001. He later leased the theater to Decatur resident Charles Zweck, who operated the theater for three years. Zweck did not renew his lease in 2007.

"There's no use in leasing it again," McSparin said of the theater, which has endured some water damage and is deteriorating.

"I thought it would be good to have as a discount house," he said about initially purchasing the theater. "(Zweck) ran the business as more of an art house.

"The theater would probably be best as a family-owned operation."

McSparin said he has been approached by hundreds of interested buyers in the theater since its closing. He expects the turnout for the auction to be well attended.

While he knows the theater holds sentimental value to the people of Effingham, he said there are buyers more interested in the land property than the theater, who may demolish the building.

"Whoever buys it has the right to do what they want with it," he said. "Maybe they'll keep the theater going."

Alicia Spates can be reached at aspates@herald-review.com or 421-6986.