FSG Restores New Mexico’s Cavern Theater to its 1950s Glory
Some projects are just jobs, and then some stick with you.
When FSG Southwest was brought in to help restore the Cavern Theater, they knew it wasn’t just another job pulling wire. They were helping to restore a New Mexico community landmark that had gone dark. No pun intended.
“It hadn’t really been open since the ’70s,” said Journeyman Electrician Matt Pedregon. “To see it finally come back to life is a good thing for them.”
A Place Worth Preserving
At its peak, The Cavern was a state-of-the-art movie palace where friends gathered and families made memories. When it closed, years of neglect turned a once proud building into an eyesore. The goal for this restoration was simple to say and hard to do: walk through the doors and feel like it’s 1951.
The customer was specific about what they wanted. New LED technology was a must, but it couldn’t overpower the historic character of the space. The lighting needed to feel like it belonged there, not like an upgrade.
The Work
Before our team could get to work, they had to tear out previous work from another contractor that hadn’t been done right. From there, they rebuilt it from scratch: new LEDs and drivers installed with careful attention to preserve the existing framing and historic lines. They picked materials that were intentionally understated. Low-sheen, but still with presence. The kind of finish that reads as timeless rather than new.
The trickiest piece was a control board packed into a closet with 121 decoders — everything was fitted together within a sixteenth of an inch. The kind of precision FSG is known for.
What It Means
For Service Manager of El Paso & New Mexico, Sara Kew, the project hit different. She’s a New Mexico native, and The Cavern wasn’t just a job site.
“Being involved in the restoration of this building is not just about revitalizing an old structure — it’s about breathing life back into a place that once stood as a vibrant hub of connection, joy, and tradition. What truly excites me is thinking about the future — the kids and families who will now get to make new memories here, just like their parents and grandparents once did. This is more than a restoration; it’s a bridge between the past and the future.”
That’s what the crew felt too, watching hundreds of people walk in and enjoy the finished theater.
Some projects are just jobs. This one’s gonna to stick.
Check out a video about the project: