Kinston's Paramount Theater to shine again after decades of neglect
An old building will get a new lease on life with the Paramount Project. A collective effort is underway to restore the Paramount Theater to its former glory. The project is currently raising the funds needed to renovate the building.
The Paramount Theater, located on Queen Street in downtown Kinston, has a rich history. Originally opened in 1915, the theater was taken over by Paramount Pictures in the early 1930s and operated through their subsidiary, Wilby-Kincy. It was later renamed the Paramount Theater.
Paramount Theater in downtown Kinston. Photo from: http://cinematreasures.org/
However, the theater suffered a setback when it was damaged by fire in the late 1940s. It was restored and remodeled by architect A. Mitchell Wooten but was later transformed into a nightclub, which closed in 2013. It briefly reopened as the Platinum nightclub in 2014 but closed down again in January 2015.
A meeting was held earlier today by Brandon Potter, owner of Art 105, and he spoke about the theater, saying, “We have a monumental task ahead of us, but we had a room full of folks that have a knack for seeing potential, and not what is broken. More to come very soon!”
The Paramount Project. Photo: The Paramount Project Facebook page.
Stephen Hill, who has facilitated many successful groundbreaking projects in downtown Kinston, purchased the Paramount and put on a new roof before donating the building to a local non-profit organization.
“Relighting the Paramount sign will change the face of downtown,” said Hill. “It will spur more economic development on Queen Street.”
The goal is to restore the theater to a working theater for Kinstonians and visitors to enjoy once again.
“I feel restoring the Paramount will bring some of the magic back to the Magic Mile,” said Vickie E. Jones, President/CEO, Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce. “I remember coming to the Paramount to see my first big screen movie at an in-door theatre at 8 years old.”
According to the Paramount Project website, “A project is currently underway to raise funds for Phase 1 of the Paramount Theater's restoration. Through grants and private donations, the theater’s grand marquee can shine brightly once again!”
The smART Kinston City Project Foundation is confident that with private donations and business sponsorships, along with grant writing efforts, they can restore the theater for live music, acting troupes, comedy, movies, and events. The restored theater will no doubt inspire more investment in Kinston and more dreamers to think big.
“We are very fortunate that Ted Sampley saved all the large letters from the sign for us to use,” said Hill. “It will look Awesome!”
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