Gem Theatre
111 W. First Street,
Kannapolis,
NC
28081
111 W. First Street,
Kannapolis,
NC
28081
10 people
favorited this theater
Showing 51 - 75 of 92 comments found
The Gem has a website now.
www.gem-theatre.com
Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/2htwbb
Hi guys! Just saw the Simpsons at the Gem on 8/4/2007. First time back inside the theatre in 44 years! Admission at 3:30PM, $1.00 for seniors. Big tub of popcorn, $2.00, drinks at $1.25. Better bargin than 44 years ago in ralation to todays money value. The theatre seemed the same to me as I remembered. Very clean, and no smells. Can’t believe they have maintained so well. Rest of downtown K-town was disappointing in lack of activity, but neat as always. Great town, the citizens should be proud.
This is a much larger version of the postcard at the top of this page.
That’s a great picture of the Gem. Thanks Bob
The King plays the Gem, circa 1963:
View link
It’s a nice use of a cut out from the 24 sheet for IT HAPPENED AT THE WORLD’S FAIR.
And that marquee is just the best example of art deco that I’ve seen in NC and still shining brightly every night in 2006 soon to be 2007!
Ironic that a building has been demolished in the background of the photo you posted above. I sincerely hope that the Gem never sees or meets that fate…heaven forbid. And I would guess that the building in the background may be part of the Cannon towel complex that was Kannapolis!
Another recent photo of the Gem Theater can be seen here.
Theaters like this-and the bigger,grander Byrd in Richmond-must be “treasured”,used,talked up,and used as often as possible.I wish I had a nickel for everytime I’ve told people to go to the Byrd for a NEW experience(for most).This theater ib Cannon Villiage should be viable,but don’t be complacent.The ONE item I wish this site offered would be a seperate list of REAL theaters that still show scheduled shows.Movie palaces are a rare thing now,we need to know where the active ones are w/o plowing through lists of vacant lots.
This is a great theater that seems to be frozen in time. Inside and out everything seems original. I hope it can hang on as Kannapolis changes. Make a point to see a movie in this theater for an old time experience. I only wish the balcony was open for all shows. Usually it’s only open for larger crowds.
I found this page by accident while searching for history on the Gem Theater. Thanks to everyone for their posts and pics. BTW Eagle Gallery – Great Stuff!!! The Gem Theater is an awseome treasure for the City of Kannapolis. I only hope that the realize it before it’s too late. The Gem has great prices, great atmosphere and great people. It’s like stepping back in time. I am sad to report that the Dixie Theater (Table Supply Grocery) is no more. I was totally shocked driving in to town last week to see that it had been erased. Almost as if it had never existed. Rumor has it that the property will be home to a new Eckerd store. Eckerd built a new store less than a mile from that corner a few years ago, but the Bio-Tech campus wanted their property and money talks. Bearing that in mind and how swiftly the Dixie was demolished, I fear not ony for the Gem Theater but the entire down town area of Kannapolis. It seems as though the City has take the side of “progress” over the pride of the past. Very unfortunate.
EagleArtGallery: Thanks for the Gem update and I shall take a look-see at your website again though the site was slow in responding this a.m.
I do not have a studio but the website is pretty much my portfolio.
Do you only do pen and ink? And do you have a studio that I could visit in Kannapolis?
I am a local artist in Kannapolis, and I am working on a pen and ink drawing of “A Gem”. You can see the progress at www.eagleartgallery.com and pre-order a copy.
What a nice theater!
This theatre is known as a survivor!
Here is another recent 2006 photo of the Gem theater.
I have visited this theatre and met the owner/manager. The Gem is what I refer to as a survivor as is sometimes the term used to describe classic cars that have survived the years well.
The theater in North Kannapolis was the “Main” on Cannon Blvd (US 29). Admission was 10/15 cents in early 60’s. Could get 10 hotdogs for a dollar at a cafe down the street. Was a great time/place to be a kid in early 60’s at K-town.
A great photo of a great original art deco marquee in NC!
This is a recent night view of the Gem theater.
I worked at the Gem Theatre (as many others did) while I was in high school in the mid-70s. It is truly a wonderful place. Originally, there were stage shows there and it is equipped with a full sized stage (not visible due to the screen and it’s frame supports) and also a basement that had dressing rooms for the performers. The history of this building is fabulous. I do hope that it is able to remain as a historical part of Kannapolis. My family and I attend movies there frequently (yes, first run, went to Chronicles of Narnia this weekend) and it is a much better experience than the multi-plexes. There were many other theaters in Kannapolis. The Swanee is now the Visitors Center. I went to movies there frequently in the early 70s, then there was the Palace (which was considered the black theater during segregation). It is located across from Kannapolis Middle School (not the new one) near A.L. Brown High School. There was the Dixie ( I believe it is now the Table Supply Grocery Store) and one other who’s name I can’t remember that was located in North Kannapolis. Also, on North Cannon Blvd at the corner of Jackson Street is a Shoe Depot that is in another old theater building. Yes, Kannapolis is changing with the destruction of Cannon Mills (I also worked there while in College) but hopefully the renovation of the town with new industry (bio-tech) will bring more jobs. The Gem is definitely a highlight in Kannapolis, and I STRONGLY encourage everyone to visit there.
Thanks,TA,I’ll take a camera and look closer next time.