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By Sam Desmond
The movie magic is back at the newly renovated, restored and renamed Sunset Theater in Westhampton Beach.
The theater hosted a ribbon-cutting this spring to mark the occasion, followed by its first showing.
[Keep scrolling for a photo tour of the new Sunset Theater]
Bo Bishop, president of the Greater Westhampton Historical Museum, presented an award to the visionary founding team for its efforts as well.
“They have restored the Westhampton Theater to a state-of-the-art facility, creating an efficient contemporary use while preserving those portions and features of the theater which are significant to its historic, architectural and cultural values,” Bishop said.
Sunset Theater, last known as the Hampton Arts Cinema, closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 restrictions and had never reopened.. At that time, it was one of the last independent movie theaters operating on Long Island, according to Behind the Hedges.
Inge Debyser, Sunset’s managing director, was one of four women who formed a company to purchase the theater at 2 Brook Road in April of 2022 for $1.15 million.
She told Greater Long Island the project was a deeply personal one.
“A lot of people asked me, ‘Why did you do this?’ These iconic buildings in a small village are very important to me. We could not let this beautiful, odd-shaped building be demolished, so we took upon the task to renovate and brought back the old Hollywood, art deco, nostalgic vibe,” she said.
“Now it’s up to the community to make it what I hope will be a place you will share memories for many years to come.”
Westhampton Beach Mayor Ralph Urban said he was “enthusiastic and encourag[ing]” of the arts playing a greater role in the community, citing Easthampton and Bridgehampton’s cultural scenes as goals.
With its calendar already filling up, the new Sunset Theater is screening everything from contemporary classics like Pulp Fiction and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off to new releases like The Legend of Ochi.
Debyser said her goal was to create a venue “designed to inspire both cinematic wonder and genuine human connection,” and spoke to the difference between watching films at home and going out to the movies.
“Streaming a good film beats watching random television, but going to the movies is something fundamentally different,” she said. “It is about stepping out of your home, sharing a moment, engaging in a collective experience. That sense of connection is irreplaceable.”
Some history
The site was originally built in 1927 by painter Harry E. Nugent and first opened as the Hampton Star Theater. He constructed it by hand in the area known as Six Corners.
On Feb. 13, 1933, the theater was heavily damaged in a fire rumored to be arson, according to Bishop. No charges were ever filed.
Nugent, his wife and their two children, who were living in the upstairs apartment at the time, were unharmed. The theater didn’t reopen until 1947, when it began hosting live performances.
“Famous actors, performers went on that stage,” Bishop said, referencing top theatrical groups from the 1950s.
He added that the latest version of the Sunset Theater is “200 times better” than anything the space has seen before.
New life — with a bar
The second floor now features a full bar — the Sunset Bar — along with curated cheese selections. And if you’re looking for a peek at the theater but don’t have time for a movie, happy hour runs from 4 to 6 p.m. daily.
On weekends, matinees geared toward families with young children will allow for a more relaxed environment, with no strict “no talking” policy.
Plans are for the concession stand to offer sweet and savory crepes for a late breakfast or early lunch.
Standard tickets are $18.50. Seniors 65 and older and children 12 and under pay $17.
A full list of screenings is available at sunset-theater.com.
Photo tour
