Grand Theatre
23 S. Main Street,
Philippi,
WV
26416
23 S. Main Street,
Philippi,
WV
26416
2 people
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Additional Info
Previous Names: Philippi Grand Theatre
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News About This Theater
- Dec 28, 2006 — Restore the theater, restore the community
The Grand Theatre was opened screening movies by 1927. It was closed in 1999. The former Grand Theatre on Main Street in downtown Philippi is currently vacant, most recently having housed a coffee and tea shop from late-2005 into early-2006. Restoration had begun by November 2021.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
The Grand Theater was opened in the early 1930’s as Vaudeville theater. Many of the residents of Philippi remember Tex Ritter riding his horse onto the stage there.
She seats approximately 300 people. Apart from the theater auditorium itself, the building has 2 retail spaces, 3 apartments and a full basement.
The theater was converted a movie house some time after World War II. We all know the story: the owners at the time did all they could, but ran her into the ground. None of the subsequent owners were ever able to restore her. Most only put for the minimum effort to keep her open.
She was eventually sold at auction to the current owners. They did more with her than her previous owners, and ran a movie house there (late-release first-run movies), as well as running a ‘50’s style malt shop there called “The Hop”.
The theater and the restaurant closed at the end of 1999.
A delightfully attractive (albeit trendy and “metro”) coffee and tea shop called “Wickedly Delicious” opened in the space where “The Hop” was, in late October, 2005, and was closed by February, 2006. “Trendy” and “metro” are not meant to be slams, by the way. But, they are terms that hardly fit that part of the country.
The property has been for sale for quite a while, and is currently under contract — to me, as it turns out. The space formerly known as “The Hop” and then “Wickedly Delicious” is currently empty, and, if I have my way, will reopen as a somewhat more pedestrian cafe called “Wiener Joe’s” in the first quarter of 2007.
The theater herself will reopen later in 2007, after the first phase of her extensive renovation is completed. She will show movies three days a week, and will otherwise be made available as a center for the arts. More of that will be possible as the renovation proceeds.
All of this, naturally, is contigent upon financing.
Is this still for sale?
I have been through the area and like it, but not sure the area can support a venue like this?
Dear Dazeofmyth: Yes the theatre is still for sale. All contracts have expired since the interested party could not get financing. We have listed it full scale and on a first come first serve basis. I can be reached at 973-377-2166 or email at for all the information. My husband and I are the current owners.
Karen Miller
I think this theater may have first opened in 1926.
The Grand Theater would make a great Branson Type of Theater with live entertainment at a fraction of the cost that it cost to build a new theater such as the “American Mountain Theater” www.americanmountaintheater.com in Elkins at a cost of 1.7 million.A band comedy group for example such as “Lucky Enough” now performing at the Elks Lodge in Elkins would be a good match for example plus it would bring more tourism into Philippi and the downtown area.That type of concept should be studied upon.Branson Type Entertainment at the Grand in historic Philippi!!
I live in Belington and have been interested in maybe buying the theater off and on for the last couple of years. I was surveying the crowd at the 2007 Blue and Gray and had really favorable results but got sick that Summer. If its still for sale I’d love to talk to someone. My email is
Nice looking little theatre.
Supposedly some manner of restoration is in progress:
https://www.facebook.com/philippigrandtheatre/