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Gem Theatre (Kannapolis, North Carolina)

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Coordinates: 35°29′54″N 80°37′29″W / 35.49833°N 80.62472°W / 35.49833; -80.62472
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Gem Theatre
The restored theatre in 2022
Gem Theatre (Kannapolis, North Carolina) is located in North Carolina
Gem Theatre (Kannapolis, North Carolina)
Gem Theatre (Kannapolis, North Carolina) is located in the United States
Gem Theatre (Kannapolis, North Carolina)
Location111 West 1st Street, Kannapolis, North Carolina
Coordinates35°29′54″N 80°37′29″W / 35.49833°N 80.62472°W / 35.49833; -80.62472 35°29′54″N 80°37′29″W
Built1936
Architectural styleArt Deco
NRHP reference No.100004322[1]
Added to NRHPAugust 26, 2019
A postcard of a theater with a large sign that says “Gem” written vertically in large neon red lettering.
A postcard showing The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936) on the marquee

The Gem Theatre in Kannapolis, North Carolina is a theater first opened December 31, 1936, built by Cannon Mills for its workers. The Gem is one of the oldest movie theaters with one screen in the United States.

History

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After a 1942 fire, only the façade, offices, projection booth and part of the lobby remained. The theater was rebuilt and reopened in 1948 with 916 seats and a new balcony to replace the old one. Steve Morris bought a share of the theater in 1995 and became general manager and later the owner. With competition from newer theaters, the Gem showed movies that had already been shown elsewhere. First-run movies returned in 2000.[2]

The city of Kannapolis bought the theater in 2015 as part of a downtown revitalization project. Renovations done in 2021 include the marquee, roof, and HVAC. The theater reopened May 16, 2024 after five months of interior renovations[3] costing $1.2 million. [2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ a b Miller, Christopher (December 26, 2023). "The iconic Gem Theatre to undergo interior renovations beginning next month". Independent Tribune.
  3. ^ "Historic Gem Theatre back open after renovations complete". Independent Tribune. May 17, 2024.
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Official website

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