Editor's note: Our fourth and final installment of Focus 2008, My Valley, comes out Friday and deals with some of mid-valley residents' favorite places, including Albany's Pix Theatre, profiled here:

It started as a livery stable and has housed hardware stores, department stores and other businesses, but these days, the building recognized as one of the finest examples of Queen Anne commercial architecture in Albany is home to a first-run movie theater.

The Pix Theatre celebrated its second anniversary in January, and owners Jeff and Robin Mexico of the Stayton area say they meet new customers coming through its double doors each week.

"It's affordable, it's darling, and you can order pizza and they bring it to you," said Bobbie Rimer of Albany, describing her many positive experiences at the theater.

She said if both the Pix and the larger theaters in Albany and Corvallis are playing the movie her family wants to see, they choose the Pix every time.

She said it's a great place to bring her four kids, ranging in age from 7 to 15.

"They're just wonderful people. It's a family-owned business," Rimer said. "We come here on dates and we come here as a family."

The Mexicos first got into the movie business when they renovated the Star Cinema in Stayton. They also own and run the Fox Theatre and Motor Vu Drive-In in Dallas.

Though it does play classic films once a month, Jeff Mexico said some theater- goers don't realize the Pix is primarily a first-run theater.

The Pix features gourmet

popcorn prepared onsite, pizza, hot dogs, chocolate truffles in more

than a dozen flavors and other epicurean treats.

If standard movie fare is more your style, the Pix also traffics in licorice, M&Ms and the like.

Originally the Straney & Moore Livery Stable, the building was first completed in 1892. It housed several different businesses, including two department stores and two hardware stores, and until recently, the right side of the space held the now-relocated Lovelace Flower Shop, 321 Second Ave. S.W.

The building functioned as The Pix Theatre from the late 1960s to early 1980s, Mexico said.

Only "original" parts of theater: the name and the sloping floor. Everything else is new construction, Mexico said.

The Pix is can be found at 321 Second Ave. S.W. in Albany.

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