Richmond's Byrd Theatre back at full capacity with new, wider seats

Driving the news: The theater wrapped up its years-long project to make the seats comfier and up to five inches wider last week.

• For months, the Byrd had been balcony-only seating — which were upgraded earlier this year — while crews replaced the side sections downstairs.
• Ben Cronly, the Byrd's executive director, told BizSense the temporary loss of the usual seating slowed down business this summer.
• Now, they're back to full capacity.

Fun fact: Cronly told BizSense that improving the Byrd's seats has been the most-asked-for upgrade from visitors.

What's next: The Byrd wants to put up a replica of the massive vertical "BYRD" sign that hung outside the building before its 1971 removal.

• The hope is installing it before the Byrd's 100th anniversary in 2028.