NEWTON — The City of Newton joined The New State Cinema on Aug. 28 to mark the theater’s 90th anniversary and new local ownership, the city said Sept. 1, 2026.
The three-screen theater at 117 North College Ave. has been a Downtown Newton landmark since opening in August 1936, the city said. The Sept. 1 notice describes it as a gathering place for generations of moviegoers and a cornerstone of the community through nine decades of changes in film and entertainment.
Two local couples, Alan and Suzanne Jackson and Brad and Patricia Haas, purchased the theater in September 2025. The city said the four have upgraded the sound systems in all three auditoriums and refreshed the lobby and concessions area. Programming has expanded with recurring classic-film series, including Silver Screen Sunday, featuring films from the 1930s through the 1960s, and Retro Rewind, an 1980s flashback series.
“For 90 years, The New State Cinema has been more than a movie theater—it has been a place where families, friends, and neighbors come together to share an experience and create lasting memories,” Alan Jackson said. “When the four of us bought The New State last September, we did it quietly and got straight to work. Ninety years felt like the right moment to open the doors wide, show the community what we’ve been up to, and thank the people who have kept this theater alive for nine decades.”
“Historic businesses like The New State Cinema are an important part of what makes Downtown Newton special,” Mayor Jerry T. Hodge said. “For 90 years, this theater has brought people together, created memories for generations of families, and contributed to the vitality of our downtown. We’re excited to celebrate this milestone with The New State’s owners and look forward to seeing this Newton landmark continue to welcome moviegoers for many years to come.”
The city encouraged residents to share photographs, stories, and memories. Submissions and film information are directed to www.statecinemanewton.com. City Hall is listed at 401 North Main Avenue, Newton, phone 828-695-4300.
The Sept. 1 notice does not list a purchase price, seating capacity, or a vote of City Council.
Official release from City of Newton, Sept. 1, 2026. https://www.newtonnc.gov/rotating_stories_detail_T2_R1616.php
