The beach theatre with the newly installed marquee | the beach theatre

The historic Beach Theatre on St. Pete Beach will reopen on Friday, July 18th for the first time in over a decade, bringing back the smell of fresh popcorn and the buzz of excited moviegoers.

The theatre, located at 315 Corey Avenue, first opened in 1940 as the first venue in Pinellas County built exclusively for sound films.

The reopening follows a year of extensive renovations led by new owners and St. Pete Beach residents Ronald and Sissy Hockman and their daughter, Hannah. The family purchased the 85-year-old theatre in March 2024 for $1 million.

“I have dreamed of owning a theatre for as long as I can remember,” Hannah shared in a Facebook post.

A theater director who has worked with American Stage, Hannah never saw a show at the Beach Theatre herself—but her parents often visited on date nights. Since acquiring the property, she has been actively documenting the renovation journey of the Art Deco gem, which has been closed since 2012.

Hannah Hockman, the daughter of owners Ronald and Sissy Hockman, has assisted in the renovation of the historic theatre | the beach theatre

The past two owners of the theatre have not been able to keep it open. The Hockmans are hoping the third times a charm.

Hollywood screenwriter Michael France Jr., who owned the theatre from 2007 to 2021, operated it for five years before financial and health issues forced its closure. He passed away in 2013.

The building was then sold to businessman Christopher Scott in 2021for $652,000. Scott had plans to renovate the 5,000-square-foot space, adding a bar and stage, but the theatre never reopened under his ownership.

When the Hockmans took over in 2024, the only things left inside were a projector, some vintage movie posters, and a few rows of the original seats.

Shortly after kicking off renovations, the theatre suffered significant setbacks from back-to-back hurricanes. In late September, Hurricane Helene caused severe flooding, sending six feet of storm surge into the theatre bowl and three feet into the lobby.

Just weeks later, Hurricane Milton struck with powerful winds that tore down the back wall.

The inside of the theatre after suffering damage from the 2024 hurricanes | the beach theatre

Fortunately, because the equipment and furnishings hadn’t yet been installed, the team was able to recover quickly from the damage.

Today, blue curtains hang along the freshly painted walls, and work is underway to install cinema equipment, box seating, and a new bar adjacent to the expanded main lobby.

“We took down the old ceiling and when we did, we exposed this really beautiful barrel roof,” Hannah shared in a vlog. “We’re going to put all of our equipment up there and leave the ceiling totally exposed so you can see all of the wood.”

The Hockmans have preserved the building’s iconic vertical sign and recently unveiled the newly installed blue marquee sign during a celebration in the Corey Avenue Business District.

The theatre’s grand reopening on Friday, July 18th will feature a documentary chronicling its history and the family’s renovation efforts. In the days that follow, the Hockmans plan to host several open house events to welcome the community back to the space.

According to Hannah, the theatre’s show calendar is already fully booked for the 2025 season. Tickets go on sale Sunday, June 1st, and the schedule will be available online.

The theatre will reopen on july 18th | the beach theatre

“Whether you’re a movie buff craving the nostalgia of classic films or a theatre enthusiast seeking the thrill of live performances, the Beach Theatre will be your ultimate destination for unforgettable experiences and cherished memories,” the family shared.

“We’re dedicated to fostering a sense of community and collaboration—providing a platform for local artists to showcase their talents and inviting audiences to experience the magic of storytelling in all its forms.”

Stay up to date on upcoming showings and events by signing up for the Beach Theatre newsletter and following the venue on Facebook and Instagram.