Carbonear Cinema was first open in 1975 in the old Orange Lodge, the first movie that was shown was Shaggy D.A. a Walt Disney movie. The theater then moved to the Bond Street location when it was closed by the Fire Dept of Carbonear. The Bond Street location was also a movie theater that was own by Ben Davis until he retired, the shingles from this theater came from a WW II prisoner of war camp that was suppose to be open in Victoria NL. For security purposes the camp never opened. Carbonear Cinema then moved to Powell Drive which was constructed in 1978/79. In the early to mid 1980’s, Carbonear Cinema also ran the Harbour Grace theater for awhile.
This theater was located on Harvey Street. Other businesses that Tom Oates started was a games located on the top floor of the theater, then it moved to T.C. square until it closed. There was also take-out business with a small store, this was located in the parking lot as you entered the parking lot of the theater. The cinema was operated by both Tom Oates and his wife Mary Oates until their divorced in the mid 1980’s, when Tom Oates became the sole owner. Keith Oates (his oldest son)then manage the business from the late 1990’s until the fire in 2011. Being (Tom & Mary’s) their youngest son I also helped in the business until their divorce.
Carbonear Cinema was first open in 1975 in the old Orange Lodge, the first movie that was shown was Shaggy D.A. a Walt Disney movie. The theater then moved to the Bond Street location when it was closed by the Fire Dept of Carbonear. The Bond Street location was also a movie theater that was own by Ben Davis until he retired, the shingles from this theater came from a WW II prisoner of war camp that was suppose to be open in Victoria NL. For security purposes the camp never opened. Carbonear Cinema then moved to Powell Drive which was constructed in 1978/79. In the early to mid 1980’s, Carbonear Cinema also ran the Harbour Grace theater for awhile.
This theater was located on Harvey Street. Other businesses that Tom Oates started was a games located on the top floor of the theater, then it moved to T.C. square until it closed. There was also take-out business with a small store, this was located in the parking lot as you entered the parking lot of the theater. The cinema was operated by both Tom Oates and his wife Mary Oates until their divorced in the mid 1980’s, when Tom Oates became the sole owner. Keith Oates (his oldest son)then manage the business from the late 1990’s until the fire in 2011. Being (Tom & Mary’s) their youngest son I also helped in the business until their divorce.