Oakbrook Cinema

rivest266 on January 11, 2026 at 11:12 am

“The News and Courier / THE EVENING POST Strictly Business Charleston, S.C., Tuesday, July 13, 1982 3

Oakbrook Cinema A Dream Come True By BONNIE JERDAN Post-Courier Reporter

SUMMERVILLE

The Oakbrook Cinema I and II, which opened Friday at Oakbrook Village Shopping Center on Old Trolley Road near Summerville, is a dream come true for John H. Stevenson Jr. and his wife, Sharon.

The Stevensons are principal owners and managers of the twin cinema, the only theater in the Summerville area. The couple chose the location, designed the plans and provided equipment for the theater without the backing of a corporation.

Stevenson calls the project a Cinderella story. “Who would believe that a projectionist would be opening his own theater?” he asks.

Stevenson began his career at the age of 15 as a ticket-taker at a Charleston drive-in. A great source of satisfaction to Stevenson is that his father can see him running his own theater, a lifelong dream of the elder Stevenson.

Stevenson’s own work experience includes stints as a projectionist at most Charleston-area theaters. He graduated from Palmer Junior College with a degree in marketing and attended Baptist College for two years, majoring in English literature. His most recent position was manager/operator at a North Area theater.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Stevenson received her Realtor’s license and assisted her father in real estate in Moncks Corner and Walterboro. Her experience with bookkeeping will help her with managing the business side of presenting movies.

“Sharon’s been the moving force” behind the project, Stevenson says.

“I saw all the equipment John and his father had accumulated over the years and got the idea that we should open a theater ourselves,” Mrs. Stevenson says. Since then, she’s been working full time for two years on research for the theater.

“I’ve worked at it every day like a 12-to-15-hour-a-day job,” she says. She made several trips to Charlotte to get population surveys and to learn what she and her husband needed to know to construct and equip a movie theater.

Mrs. Stevenson planned the cinema’s layout, decor and color scheme. She also helped with installing the chairs, while her husband supervised the installation of the projection and sound equipment.

The auditorium is equipped with the latest in projection equipment, called a platter system, Stevenson says.

In choosing a location, the Stevensons first looked at their hometown of Moncks Corner. Although Moncks Corner does not have a theater, they decided that Summerville was a better market because of the town’s rate of growth.

They saw Oakbrook Village shopping center being erected last year and talked to Kenneth C. Willard, the contractor. Willard and his partner H. Jack Free were enthusiastic about including the cinema in their center and offered to help finance its construction.

The combination of financial aid and ideal location was too good to refuse, and the Stevensons were in the theater business.

“We hope to draw from the surrounding area,” Stevenson said. “Sangaree, Ridgeville, Moncks Corner, Walterboro — everyone who used to drive to Charleston to go to the movies can see them here.”

The Stevensons plan to have pictures that appeal to all movie-goers. They intend to contact local schools about an educational enrichment series to complement what students are learning in class. Another idea they have is presenting free “lady-shopper shows” with door prizes from local merchants.

Children’s matinees and rock-and-roll late shows are also in the plans.

Stevenson enjoys science fiction and the old horror movies the best. His wife likes comedies and classics.

“The movie business is endlessly exciting,” Stevenson says. “I know I’m never going to be up there on a screen, so the next best thing is owning one.

“It’s fame by association,” he continues. “It’s like having a big guest arriving in town and staying at your place, like saying, ‘I’ve got E.T. coming!’

50sSNIPES on January 10, 2026 at 2:30 pm

I cannot confirm if this was briefly last operated by Cinemark, but any more information about it will be greatly appreciated.