Search

Theaters News Links

Advanced search
 

Theater Guide

Now listing 27,650 theaters & 1,598 photos… more
Browse by...
 

Add Your Cinema Treasure!

Add Theater
Add Photo (offline)
Add Theater News
 
 

Recent Comments

Feb 09 Century Downtown… (12)
Feb 09 AMC Rockaway 16 (741)
Feb 09 Loews Cinema… (3)
Feb 09 Winter Gardens… (2)
Feb 09 Bear Tooth… (6)
Feb 09 Capitol Theater (47)
Feb 09 Mann Plant 16… (6)
Feb 09 Wings Twin… (5)
Feb 09 Panorama Theatre (19)
Feb 09 Metro 4 (13)
 
 
 
  Discover. Preserve. Protect.
Also known as Jewett City Cinemas, State Theatre Twin

State Theatre

Jewett City, CT
100 Main Street
, Jewett City, CT 06351 United States
(map)
Status: Closed
Screens: Twin
Style: Unknown
Function: Unknown
Seats: 722
Chain: Unknown
Architect: Unknown
Firm: Unknown
State Theatre
Exterior view of the State Theatre
Photo courtesy of Roger Katz
The State Theatre on Main Street in the Jewett City section of Griswold opened in 1939.

Originally a single screen, the later-twinned theater was part of the Welch Theatres chain along with cinemas in Norwich, Willimantic, and Killingly.

The Jewett City Cinemas closed in April of 2003, but was renovated and restored, and returned to its original name, the State, when it reopened in April 2005, but the theater closed again in August of 2005. In November, 2005, the State once more opened under new ownership. Once again the theater closed in April 2006.
Contributed by Roger Katz


YOUR COMMENTS

 
The Jewett City Cinemas closed down on April 6, 2003, along with the nearby Norwich Twin, also from the Welch Theatres chain. Welch filed for Chapter 11 and plans to sell its remaining 2 cinemas.
posted by Roger Katz on Apr 12, 2003 at 6:47pm
The former State Theatre is now CLOSED! It has been closed since April!!!
posted by Roger Katz on Oct 7, 2003 at 12:44pm
Who does a guy have to kill to change this theatre listing from open to closed?
posted by Roger Katz on Nov 16, 2003 at 4:28pm
As a single screen theatre the State seated 722 people.
posted by William on Nov 19, 2003 at 5:14pm
I'm going to have to travel to Jewett City sometime to see if this theatre is for sale or lease or whatever. Can anyone save me the trip? Does anyone out there know if this theatre is available and what the asking price is? Run properly I think it could be successful.
posted by Roger Katz on Jan 10, 2004 at 10:39pm
Excellent news! The State Theatre (change the listing to that name) will reopen next month after having been closed for about a year. The owner of the Jewett City Pharmacy next door has been renovating it since last May. Despite a 12-screen multiplex that is under construction just a few miles away he thinks the State can be successful. Let's hope so!
posted by Roger Katz on Mar 2, 2004 at 3:55am
the state theater is open as of WENDSDAY MAY 19
we include a slection as of such:
cnady : assorted brands king size 2.50
popcorn: kettle corn (price TBA)possibly 50 cent more
regular: small medium large
soda: assortment (pepsi products)
Drinks: Sobe, Dole fruit drinks, dasani
Nachos: w/cheese
opening movies: Shrek 2
Troy
posted by employee on May 18, 2004 at 6:38am
the state theater is open as of WENDSDAY MAY 19 2004
we include a slection as of such:
cnady : assorted brands king size 2.50
popcorn: kettle corn (price TBA)possibly 50 cent more
regular: small medium large
soda: assortment (pepsi products)
Drinks: Sobe, Dole fruit drinks, dasani
Nachos: w/cheese
opening movies: Shrek 2
Troy
posted by employee on May 18, 2004 at 6:38am
I just saw "Spider Man 2" at the State, and although the refurbished decor is quite plain, the seats are new and comfy, the sound and projection are splendid. The village is lucky to have a nice place like this, within walking distance of so many residences.
posted by Gerald A. DeLuca on Jul 9, 2004 at 6:36pm
With Halloween coming soon does anyone know if The State is considering bringing back The Rocky Horror Picture Show?
posted by Frank N. Furter, MD on Oct 14, 2004 at 6:52am
The State Theatre once again closed down in late 2004.
posted by Roger Katz on Jan 6, 2005 at 5:30am
Can someone get me a phone number of who to contact regarding this movie house being available for purchase?
posted by Jeffrey on Jan 11, 2005 at 2:35pm
We plan to re-open the theater as The State Theatre Twin, sometime in early 2005. The first-class cinema will now be operated as a one price fits all sub-run venue. More details forthcoming as we progress.
posted by ...on with the show!!! on Mar 1, 2005 at 10:13pm
We are estimating our opening date to be April 15, 2005. Admission will be $4.00 for all at all times. More to follow...
posted by ...on with the show!!! on Mar 17, 2005 at 9:19pm
Does anyone know where an application can be picked up for when the theater re-opens?
posted by *~*Ashley*~* on Mar 22, 2005 at 1:24pm
Hi Ashley, we are the new owners. You can pick up an application when we are at the theater. We are busy preparing for opening day and do not keep steady hours. Please keep trying to catch us when we are there which is usually after 12 noon. Thank you for your interest.
posted by ...on with the show!!! on Mar 22, 2005 at 4:12pm
Hi again,

I was wondering when you would contact a person to let them know if they got the job or not? :)
Also, do you guy's need any help setting things up at the theater? My boyfriend (Sean Overby) lives right down the street from the theater and said that he could help if you needed it.

Thanks :)
Ashley
posted by *~*Ashley*~* on Mar 28, 2005 at 7:31am
Sorry, I took so long to respond to the last question. At this point I have filled the openings. I am, however, searching for projectionists experienced with the platter system(35 mm). Interested parties may respond to statetheatretwin@yahoo.com Regarding the non-projectionist applications, I will keep them on file for future reference.
Thank you for your interest,
State Theatre Twin Management
posted by ...on with the show!!! on Apr 2, 2005 at 1:26pm
Good luck with the State! I'll be there next week to take photos.
posted by Roger Katz on Apr 12, 2005 at 5:30pm
Hello, I was just wondering if you filled the projectionist position yet. I am an experienced projectionist and I live close by. If you have not yet filled it, what would starting pay look like and who should I give my resume to?

Thanks,
Jess
posted by Even Star on Apr 23, 2005 at 12:35pm
Dear Jess,

When can you stop in to see us? We are looking for a substitute/fill-in projectionist. Please respond ASAP if you are still interested.

Thank You,

Barbara and Dave
Owners
posted by ...on with the show!!! on May 3, 2005 at 8:25pm
Is This theatre re-opened yet?? It is still listed as closed
posted by mmessier13 on Jun 23, 2005 at 7:34am
I saw "Fall of The House of The Ushers, playing with The Brides of Dracula in the late 1960's at the State.... The Absent Minded Professor, Munsters Go Home, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, all memories of youth at the State Theatre...
Triangle Corp. "Plastic Wire&Cable "then located In Jewett City held their Employees Children's Christmas Party at The State also, every year, Gifts Galore, Denny McClean Baseball Game, with the magnetic ball and rubber mounted bat.... But then The Mobsters from Rhode Island bought it... they showed XXX Movies there instead of acceptable films.. Limosines from out of State lined up along the street of such a small town like that ... How stupid they were... Watching THAT ? Heck, Stay Home and DO THAT ! The State Theatre was a place where townspeople met, chatted out front while waiting for the ticket window to open... socializing the community way.. sometimes it seemed the whole town was seated in there... Of course then those Mobsters had to be stupid... and change Jewett City forever... Shame.... But the memories are delicious........
posted by Poetbill on Jun 23, 2005 at 8:06pm
By the way, when I was done at the Saturday Matinee I would walk down the alley beside the Theatre and walk home "Cutting Lots" behind that Theatre is a piece of very old Jewett City History... the Old Cemetery is back there... Take a look... Those are founders..
posted by Poetbill on Jun 23, 2005 at 8:11pm
Don't Come Lookin' Again !
http://mypeoplepc.com/members/williamstjohn01/poetbillsrealm/id59.html
posted by Poetbill on Jun 23, 2005 at 8:18pm
We are open Wednesday through Sunday every week. The theater movieline is: 860-376-PICS (7427).
posted by ...on with the show!!! on Jun 26, 2005 at 6:40pm
This theatre's status should be OPEN as the State Theatre Twin.
posted by Roger Katz on Jul 18, 2005 at 4:08pm
Did the theater close again? I haven't seen any movie's listed outside of the building in over a week.
posted by *~*Ashley*~* on Sep 19, 2005 at 5:11am
we hope to have the theatre re opened sometime in november. details as i can give them to everyone i will post thank you
posted by Kevin51 on Oct 20, 2005 at 5:01pm
Dear Ashley,

We closed the theater in late August due to lack of area support, criminal activity (cars being broken into, vandalism, loitering, violence, etc.), and the theater's need of major, expensive reparations! The theater will most likely be gutted and used as retail space (if anyone is foolish enough to rent it!) in the future. It is a quaint theater stuck in a town over-run by drugs, gin-mills, and low-class residents! How sad.......
posted by ...on with the show!!! on Oct 28, 2005 at 4:28pm
Despite the comment above, the State is reopening once again tomorrow, under new ownership, and showing second-run movies, according to this article from the Norwich Bulletin today.
posted by Bryan Krefft on Nov 3, 2005 at 4:06am
The function of this theatre should be changed. It is not showing second run movies anymore. it is now showing art movies.
posted by Roger Katz on Dec 12, 2005 at 2:21pm
I am the fourth owner of this theatre since 2003. I am trying to keep it going even though I am losing losing money every day that I am open. I love these old neighborhood moviehouses and I am not doing this for the money.It is becoming extremely harder to do business since local papers like the Norwich Bulletin and New London day no longer will list movie times for free. I am presently showing art films trying to build a following for these films I would appreciate it if all you wonderful people would try to get the word out for me so I can keep this wonderful theatre open. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP.
posted by Kevin51 on Dec 21, 2005 at 4:23pm
Lately there have been a lot of second-run movies at the theatre showing on weekends only. I believe its business got hurt after the large Marquee Cinemas 12 opened in Lisbon Landing Shopping Center in Lisbon, CT only a few miles away. What renovations were made to the theatre in the past few years? Advertising recent renovations might help out the business. Bringing independent or art films is an excellent way to compete against the megaplexes.
posted by moviebuff81 on Dec 21, 2005 at 7:44pm
The theatre was completely renovated less than two years ago. New seats and digital signage were but a couple of the renovations. The place looks really good.
posted by Roger Katz on Dec 22, 2005 at 12:41am
You can see my photos of it taken this summer when it was under previous management at http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=7258
posted by Roger Katz on Dec 22, 2005 at 12:42am
Yes the theatre is only open on weekends because little or no one comes in Mon _ Thurs. And it is extremely expensive to heat the building for only a handfull of people. We have been showing first run art movies such as Pride and Prejudice and Good Night and Good Luck. but because our low attendance the movie companies will not make us new prints untill we can boost our attendance dramaticlly.So now we will be getting art films as they come off other theatres. We had tried running Kids films on Saturday and Sunday afternoons with little or no attendance.Also I have had Tried a few second run movies with the same result.
posted by Kevin51 on Dec 22, 2005 at 3:07pm
Yes the Lisbon landing Theatres have killed our business thats why my predecessors have faired not very well.
posted by Kevin51 on Dec 22, 2005 at 3:09pm
How much are tickets at the theatre and how much are the items at the concession stand? Is there typically just two showings (one per movie) each weekend night?
posted by moviebuff81 on Dec 22, 2005 at 5:18pm
The State Theatre is closing down for good on April 16, 2006. The final two films it will play are Casablanca and The Big Sleep. I think this is it for the State. Closing four times in four years sounds like its death knell. See the article at http://www.norwichbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060407/NEWS01/604070308/1002
posted by Roger Katz on Apr 7, 2006 at 5:55pm
That's sad, I hate to hear about these small theaters closing. I have an idea that may sound retarded. Is there a local theater group in the community? Maybe it can be used for live performances and can play movies once in a while.
posted by Spike Spiegel on Apr 9, 2006 at 8:17am
does this theatre still have all of its equipment?
posted by LarryB7313 on Sep 24, 2006 at 8:03pm
No. It was sent off to Idaho or Iowa or something.
posted by Roger Katz on Sep 25, 2006 at 12:16am
Actually the equipment went to North Dakota where it will be installed next month. Most of the seats went to NH. We pulled the booth out the majority of the chairs in May. The remaining 153 chairs were pulled in July.

All of the equipment is now out of the buiding and what's left is an empty shell.

Brian Vita, President
Cinema Service & Supply, Inc.
www.cssinc.com
posted by Brian Vita on Sep 25, 2006 at 6:24am
Please update status to closed.
posted by Roger Katz on Dec 8, 2006 at 5:49pm
Here is a photo of the State Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Mar 24, 2007 at 3:38pm
the state theatre had 216 seats in each auditorium
posted by movies10063 on Nov 21, 2008 at 7:04pm
Hi,
I was wondering if any of you know who might possibly be in ownership of this empty shell of a theater now? Please let me know if you have any information. I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks so much.
posted by jessNdavie on Mar 18, 2009 at 2:04pm
Comment
*

Notify me when someone replies to my comment?
Note: Please read our comment policy before posting. Comments which are off-topic, obscene, spam, or personal attacks will be removed. Help us keep the discussion productive!