A South Carolina company is taking over operations and production at the Roanoke Rapids theater once run by Randy Parton.

Myrtle Beach-based Gilmore Entertainment said Thursday it has signed a letter of intent to operate what used to the The Randy Parton Theatre. And the company cautions it could take years to make the theater a success.

The venue has gone through a tumultuous first year. Parton was brought on as a headliner and to run the theater's operations, but was later banned from the facility amid poor ticket sales, concerns that he misused city money and accusations that he was intoxicated before a show.

Parton has said the city could have helped the theater project by completing plans to bring hotels and retail outlets to the site.