CATSKILL, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- The Community Theatre, the only movie theater in Catskill, is being renovated and set to reopen in May 2025, almost five years after its COVID-19 pandemic closure. The space at 373 Main Street will be transformed into a new film and live performance venue, said Village Vice President Natasha Law.
The theater opened in 1920 and is known for its iconic marquee in Catskill. The theater became a haven for vaudeville acts throughout the 1920s. Reel-to-reel projectors showed silent movies on the big screen, accompanied by music from a pipe organ and later by small orchestras. At full capacity, the theater can accommodate 600 people.
It was later split into two separate rooms in the early 1970s when the former balcony section was closed and a new screen, and new film projectors, were installed. In 2020, the theater closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was bought by Fain, of South Front Street Holdings LLC., from longtime owner Tom Thornton.
In April 2024, Fain and his business partner Sophie Anderson applied for a Restore NY Grant, with the village listed as the applicant. In round eight of funding, the village was awarded $550,000 for the redevelopment project.
The grant is a reimbursement grant, Anderson said in April. The renovations would be done and then the village would receive the grant money as reimbursement.
The restoration project will include the theater, two residential apartments and a storefront business space. Restorations to the theater, however, will happen in a two-phase project, according to the village.
Law said the plans include restoring the upstairs theater for movies and the downstairs theater for live performances. The second phase of the restoration project includes back-of-house renovations and a build-out.
According to the Village of Catskill Downtown Revitalization Initiative, phase two will focus on building a green room and two dressing rooms below the stage while also upgrading lighting and the acoustic system for the main theater. The green room and dressing rooms will provide artists space for pre-performance preparations.
The renovations will also include creating a lobby bar. This addition will offer customers an array of food and drink options, beyond traditional movie concessions.
The second phase of restoration is planned for 2026 and 2027, according to the village. Fain did not immediately return calls for comment.
