Filmmaker brothers raise money to buy Southampton’s shuttered cinema

Filmmakers Ben and Orson Cummings say they’re nearly ready to offer a down payment to buy Southampton’s shuttered movie theater, according to the Southampton Press.

The Cummings brothers want to turn the theater into a flexible arts venue, renovating the main theater to include a stage capable of hosting both live performances and film screenings. They also want to add a café and a second-floor bar.

The theater and its two acres on Hill Street are on the market for $8.9 million. It was most recently operated by Regal Cinemas, which closed it at the beginning of the pandemic.

The brothers, who grew up in nearby Bridgehampton, said they have the financial backing from “real heavy hitters” for the purchase and plan to offer the owner a 10 percent down payment to show their commitment.

Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor — which has faced pushback on its plans to develop a new site on the village’s waterfront — has also expressed interest in relocating to the property, but representatives are meeting with Sag Harbor Village officials to discuss keeping the theater there.

[Southampton Press] — Dennis Lynch