Owners say the Beach Theatre will re-open in July

After nearly 13 years shuttered and silent, the Beach Theatre is inching closer, frame by sprocket, to welcoming the public again.

“We’re six months away from our opening day,” co-owner Hannah Hockman beamed. “It’ll be July 18.”

The first air-conditioned movie house in Pinellas County, the Beach – at 314 Corey Avenue in St. Pete Beach – was a first-run, single-screen theater for decades, until the twin-screen craze of the 1960s, followed by the arrival of the mall multi-plex the next decade, brought hard times.

Its last owner, screenwriter Michael France (The Hulk, Goldeneye, Cliffhanger) tried to make a go of it screening independent films, Hollywood classics and cult movies.

He closed the 4,800-square-foot theater in November, 2012, and died five months later from diabetes-related complications.

RELATED STORY: Vintage St. Pete: Michael France and the Beach Theatre

Retired insurance executive Ron Hockman and his wife Sissy bought the building in early 2024 from another investor who’d tried, and failed, to get the Beach back on its feet.

Hannah Hockman, left, with her friend Maura Barrs at a recent open house celebrating the theater’s 85th anniversary.

The Hockmans’ secret weapon is their 26-year-old daughter Hannah, whose steely determination to revitalize the Beach Theatre is like a Marvel Universe super-power. She has arranged and overseen the buildout of the new facility – it’s much more than a facelift – and is indefatigable in her enthusiasm.

“We’ve gotten a lot done,” Hockman explained. “Had a new foundation put in, a new roof, new electrical, new framing … literally everything from the floor all the way up has been replaced.”

Hurricanes Helene and Milton brought their own issues – the former’s unprecedented storm surge turned the in-process concrete foundation, which still included large piles of dirt, into a mud pit. The latter storm blew out a window in the back wall.

That’s all cleaned up now, and a new stage, 25 by 22 feet, is being framed and built. The lobby and restrooms have been significantly enlarged and re-configured.

The first day will bring a celebratory screening of a documentary about the Beach Theatre’s history (and re-birth), currently being made by the bay area production company Lunar Speedboat.

The plan is to use the deep stage for both movies and live performances, including theater and concerts. Hockman has already got some of the first events mapped out.

“We’re doing some of it in-house, and we’ll be working with other people too,” she said. “I think for the first year it’s going to be the theory of ‘throw it at the wall and see what sticks.’ And just see what the public wants to see. And then we just kind of take it from there.”

Sunday, Jan. 26: The Beach Theatre and the Corey Avenue Market.