Sunset Theatre
234 Sunset Avenue,
Asheboro,
NC
27203
234 Sunset Avenue,
Asheboro,
NC
27203
1 person
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Sunset Theatre - Asheboro (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Consolidated Theatres, Martin Theatres
Architects: William C. Holleyman Jr.
Functions: Concerts, Live Theater, Movies (Classic)
Styles: Spanish Colonial
Previous Names: Flick
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
336.626.7469
Manager:
336.626.1240
Nearby Theaters
This theatre was built in 1928 by the Cox Family of Asheboro, NC. The facility opened as the Sunset Theatre in 1930. The theatre was operated by Francis White and later by Dick Stone. The theatre closed as a first run house in 1969. It reopened in the 1970’s as the Flick. The theatre closed as a movie house in 1979. The theatre was sold to Jeff Schwartz in 1981.
Over the years the facility was used as a church. The theatre was sold again in 2001 to the George Washington Carver Enrichment Center. After failing to renovate and provide proper upkeep of the facility, it was sold to the City of Asheboro in December of 2005. The facility is now under the umbrella of the Asheboro Parks and Recreation Department. A monthly film series titled “The Sunset Classic Film Series” showcases classic movies from yesteryear. Plays and concerts are also held regularly.
Contributed by
Foster Hughes
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 9 comments)
This is a nice theater that could be a great asset to this small town. I recently attended the film series to see inside. The interior is worn but looks to be mostly original. The outside has the potential to be one of the best buildings in town but it needs some attention and its marquee returned. The style is Spanish both inside and out. The balcony has good sight lines but the lobby is very small. I think the city is looking to use the vacant building next door to help make theater operations better – both for an expanded lobby and back of house needs. The Parks and Rec department puts on the film series and it was nice. It was done on 16mm which is better than video projection but it would be nice to see 35mm projectors at some point in the future.
George Lucas' STAR WARS played here at the Flick Theatre on July 1, 1977.
The minutes of a 2010 meeting of the Randolph County Historic Landmark Preservation Commission contains a lengthy report on the Sunset Theatre, which was being considered for landmark designation. The document available as a PDF.
The report says that the Sunset Theatre was designed by architect William C. Holleyman, Jr.. The Commission voted to approve the designation of the Sunset Theatre as an official local landmark.
There’s a photo of the Sunset Theatre as The Flick at upper left on this page of The Architectural History of Randolph County North Carolina.
Previously Operated under:
Consolidated Theatres
Martin Theatres
Martin Theatres also owned and operated the Cinema II at Northgate Plaza. And the Sunset Theatre Downtown Asheboro.
Here’s an audio recording I made inside the Sunset Theatre in August 1979 when it was known as the Flick Theatre. I was 10 years old. I went with my brother and a friend to see the re-release of “Star Wars”. I took my dad’s tape recorder and recorded the entire film. After the film was the latest trailer for “The Empire Strikes Back”. We nearly missed it because we were headed to the bathroom when we heard the trailer begin. We raced back to our seats, and…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRe1n8pCw-w
1955 photo added via Frank Griffin.
It appears the current Sunset Theatre is using the entrance of the building next door. Below is a link to their official Facebook page, which shows the entrance and smaller marquee as their banner photo.
https://www.facebook.com/SunsetTheatreofAsheboro/
15 photos added, some as The Flick Theatre.