A long-awaited day for people in Albany's Pine Hills neighborhood. 

"It's a pleasure, I'm telling you, a pleasure, to return here," said David Liebrman, Pine Hills resident.

The historic Madison Theatre opened for business again on Thursday with a modern twist. 

"We think we've found a really neat model to keep the old Madison Theatre name, the concept, right down to the marquee, the exterior, but at the same time took the guts of it and turned it all into digital screens, projectors, brand new speakers," said Kevin Parisi, Madison Theatre co-owner.

The movie house features a dine-in theater concept, complete with a full service restaurant and bar. 

"You can come in and get full waiter and waitress service at the table. They'll come right to you. You can come to the restaurant and eat and leave, or you can come to the restaurant and eat and go to the theater, or you can just come to the theater and watch a movie and have a full dinner experience," Parisi said.

The Madison Theatre has had its share of openings and closings through the years but locals are celebrating this return in a big way with four sold-out shows on opening night. 

"We love having someplace to walk to go to the theater, rather than go to the big theater, so we're thrilled that it's back," said Santina Stewart, Pine Hills resident.

"This building will never close again so we're excited about it," Parisi said.