Listen to this articleThe new owner of the shuttered Beacon Theater, which first opened in 1927 in Port Washington, is planning an estimated $15 million project that would restore and preserve the venue, transforming it into a cultural entertainment hub, including a dinner theater.
Building owner Brad Thurman assembled a team of developers, preservationists and stakeholders – some living in Port Washington – who are working to restore the venue, which in its last iteration was divided into mini-theaters. The team is committed to meeting modern safety codes and community needs. Aiming to hold on to a piece of Port Washington history, the team also hopes to revitalize Main Street by attracting visitors to the venue. The restoration would include modern audio-visual equipment.
The team is meeting with the Town of North Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals on Wednesday to extend the business use of the property to reopen the theater.
The restored Beacon would host movies, weddings, high-end dinners, community gatherings, special events and perhaps a Sunday brunch. There’s talk of guest-chefs, some of whom, along with investors, have already toured the facility.
“Underneath this movie theater is this amazing palace – it’s just this gorgeous, opulent piece of history,” said Leyalanny Mata, the project’s community liaison. “It’s meant to be this beautiful venue.”
The proposed project comes at a time when independent movie theaters on Long Island are shuttered. A second theater in Port Washington closed several years ago, one in Manhasset remains dormant, and another closed recently in Malverne. Last week, the former Squire Theater in Great Neck opened as The Lounge X, an entertainment center that includes golf simulators.
In Port Washington, The Beacon’s project team said it is already engaging regularly with community members and aims to incorporate public input throughout the planning and development process. The team said it would host community meetings to gather feedback and ensure the project aligns with residents’ needs and desires. Updates would be shared regularly on Port Washington’s social media sites and to town resources.
Louis Branchinelli is The Beacon’s project manager who first found the property and discussed it with Thurman. From there the vision grew.
“I was looking for a big restaurant space,” said Branchinelli, whose background includes entertainment marketing and promotion. But the longer Branchinelli toured the property, the more he turned to tying entertainment to the venue, a destination designed to survive today’s economy.
To address concerns about parking, the team is exploring partnerships with local businesses to find additional spots, as well as accessing commuter lots that are vacant after evening rush hours. The Beacon would also offer valet parking and work with taxi companies and ride-share platforms to shuttle people from the nearby train station.
The team is also in conversation with Landmark on Main Street, a nearby concert venue, which Mata said, “we love and respect.”
“Their venue is very different from what this would be,” she added, pointing out that the two organizations might be able to pull in a big name, offering a two-night exclusive, with different kinds of experiences at each venue.
“The Landmark looks forward to welcoming our neighbors at the Beacon,” The Landmark’s Board of Directors said in a statement to LIBN. “We are happy to see more new businesses that will continue to establish Port Washington as a thriving dining and entertainment destination.”
With this plan, including agreements with the town, local businesses and organizations, the theater would be on track to “bring exposure to Port Washington, and show people what a beautiful community we have. They can take a walk, see the shops, and say, ‘I have to come back,’” North Hempstead Councilmember Mariann Dalimonte said.
Security, the team said, is a top priority. A comprehensive plan includes trained security personnel, surveillance systems and coordination with local police to ensure safety.
Meanwhile, Gail Cipriano, who owns a design studio in Huntington, said that she became part of the team, recognizing Branchinelli’s vision immediately.
“There is a need to go to a place to have dinner and maybe linger over dessert, maybe you want a little entertainment, maybe some music, something unique because the trends have changed beyond just going out to dinner,” she said.
She aims to help restore and bring the venue up to code “in a way that still respects the original design elements from the original architect,” she said.
The design, she said, is from the “Beaux Arts period, right before Deco. And that was the turn of century into the early 20th century. There are little pieces of still left in the building that we’re trying to keep.”