NEWTON — Thanks in part to an anonymous donation of $5.2 million, the West Newton Cinema will likely be saved from demolition.
What happened to West Newton Cinema?
The beloved West Newton Cinema has stood at the heart of the town square for over 85 years. But due to the pandemic, which caused the theatre to lose revenue, the owners were forced to sell it to Mark Development in 2022.
Mark Development had planned to demolish the theater to redevelop the rest of the area, but Newton community members formed the West Newton Cinema Foundation to prevent the demolition.
Efforts to save West Newton Cinema
The foundation had until August 2024 to raise a staggering $5.6 million to buy back the cinema.
A member of the foundation’s board, Susan Bernstein, said she has many memories of the theater, despite living in Waltham. Bernstein told WBZ-TV in a Interview2023 that “the West Newton Cinema is a cultural icon” and that it is a place she often went to when she was growing up.
On June 28, the West Newton Cinema Foundation announced that it had achieved its ‘phase one’ goal and would repurchase the cinema in the coming weeks.
David Bramante, the theater’s original owner for 45 years, said last year that he “never wanted to give it up.”
What is the future of West Newton Cinema?
The West Newton Cinema Foundation is committed to tackling “phase two” of its overall campaign goal of raising $14 million, with the remainder of the money raised going toward theater renovations.
According to Elizabeth Heilig, president of the foundation, upcoming plans include live events, a cultural film center and creating an economic engine for West Newton Square.
“I think I can say on behalf of everyone in the city of Newton that we thank you for your tremendous commitment to our cinema and our community, and for giving back,” Heilig said in a press release.
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