The Grand Cinema

Philip Cowan has led Pierce County's only nonprofit movie theater for the past 18 years. The Grand is nearing its fundraising goal to buy the building that houses the theater, which Cowan said felt like the right opportunity to let someone else takeover.

The Tacoma-based nonprofit has occupied the Merlino Arts Center since its founding more than 26 years ago. Now they will work on raising $5 million to buy the building outright.

Many of the region’s annual film festivals are going virtual this year, as the pandemic continues. That includes next year’s Seattle International Film…