For the first time in many years, the streets and parking lots of downtown Ironton were packed with parked cars and — even more beneficially — the people who came in them.

The Ro-Na Theater, slowly being revitalized, hosted a special midnight showing of “The Rocky Horror picture Show” last weekend, drawing a couple hundred people into the city during a time when there is typically very little going on in Ironton.

And although “Rocky Horror” may not be to everyone’s tastes and midnight showings may not benefit many local merchants, the concept that the Ro-Na can be a downtown anchor and attraction for the city was strengthened.

This was another strong test opportunity and the potential is great.

The Friends of Ironton and other concerned citizens have worked hard to renovate the once-proud theater. Of course much work remains to be done, but the progress is indisputable.

This project — coupled with Depot Square, the riverfront project and the renovated transit center — can all help inject new life into the city’s downtown, a district that was once the heart of Ironton.

The key to any shopping and dining destination is to have enough attractions to draw people from our own community as well as from those that neighbor us.

Ironton looks to be building a strong foundation to do just that.