Beach Theatre: No Electricity, No Movies

CAPE MAY — The Beach Theatre is cold, dark and closed.
The electricity is shut off and a problem with the building’s electric meter socket and heating system prevents movies from being shown at this time in the 58 year old theater.
Beach Theatre Foundation President Steve Jackson responded to questions from the Herald on the theater’s future by email.
“We are in ongoing discussions with developers (new and existing),” he said. “There is interest in our project, even more so now that the Convention Hall construction is moving forward.”
“We are still optimistic we can strike a deal that will benefit Frank Theatres, a developer and the Beach Theatre Foundation,” he continued.
He said the theatre is closed “due to needed heating repairs we cannot afford.”
The Beach Theatre Foundation has a lease on the property ending March 31 with an option to purchase the property.
In July 2007, the city’s Historic Preservation Commission approved a demolition permit for the auditorium section of the building.
Cape May’s Planning Board granted preliminary site plan approval Dec. 23 to Frank Investments to build six, three-bedroom condominiums above nine existing retail stores fronting on Beach Avenue. The closing of the theater lobby would create one additional store.
The building’s front facade and retail space would remain. The retail section would be restored and reconfigured into 7,732 square feet of space. A 40-seat restaurant would remain.
The project requires a CAFRA permit from the state Department of Environmental Protection.
“Our search for the proper deal is continuing and we are actually making some progress,” said Beach Theatre Foundation Treasurer Bernie Haas.
Both Jackson and Haas remained tight lipped on any details of a potential deal with a developer.
Haas said the electricity has been turned off due to the need to replace an electric meter socket, which the landlord, Frank Investments has not chosen to address. Atlantic City Electric warned the foundation in November to repair the meter socket or service would be terminated.
Haas said it is possible Frank Investments will make the repair. With the electricity off and no heat, water has been drained and turned off to the building, he said.
“The Beach Theatre Foundation is going to continue regardless of what happens to the Beach Theatre, it sounds strange to say but part of our mission is to make sure there is a film house venue in Cape May,” said Haas. “Our first choice is the Beach Theatre obviously.”
He said a deal with a developer to keep the theater operating is “still a distinct possibility.”
The worst-case scenario would be at the end of March, Frank Investments decides to knock down the auditorium portion of theater and not construct anything new. He said it would create a “black hole” where the theater once was and a “black hole” across the street once demolition begins on the existing Convention Hall.
Before the economic downturn, price tag for the theater and adjoining retail stores was estimated to be near $12 million.
In 2007, the foundation borrowed $100,000 from the City of Cape May to lease the theater.
“We see no issue in paying off the $100,000 city loan,” said Jackson in his email. “Our first monthly payment does not begin until October and then we have five years to pay it off.”