The Veranda — a top tier events center and banquet hall — will open in downtown Manteca in June.

It is being created within the walls that were erected 82 years ago to open what was then called the “Grand Dame of Manteca” — the 900-seat El Rey Theatre.

The El Rey closed in 1975 after a fire gutted the building after a showing of “The Towering Inferno.” It reopened in 1998 remodeled as Kelley Brewing Company and Brick Yard Oven that closed in 2007. 

Owner P.J. Singh said Monday afternoon that an exclusive restaurant and bar are expected to be opening as well in the two-story building at the end of June. 

“It will be something special,” he promised as he provided an artist’s rendering showing the new façade that will give the downtown a new icon he feels will make the community proud.

The Veranda will occupy the most high profile location in downtown less than a half a block from the historic and geographic center of Manteca — the Yosemite Avenue and Main Street intersection.

Singh also trumpeted the elegant dining room that will fill the ground floor of his facility with tables and chairs that will complement the decor. 

There will be some 16 chandeliers hanging from the ceiling of the dining room to add to the elegance of his facility that includes a second floor open air terrace dining experience above the addition that Kelley Brothers added for covered open air dining that faces the northeast corner of Yosemite and Grant avenues.

Singh indicated the menu will include Hispanic and Indian cuisine.

 A break-in at the facility over the weekend brought Singh and his family concern when contractors’ tools and five large 1,000-foot-long spools of outside electrical wire were stolen along with one chandelier among 15 others being stored in the building.  The remaining chandeliers were removed and placed in a storage facility for safe keeping until they are hanged from the ceiling, he noted. 

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.