Pioneer Theatre to close its doors after over a century

Pioneer Theatre. [Courtesy Pioneer Theatre Facebook]
One of the longest running family-owned movie theaters in America — the Pioneer Theatre of Manteo — will be closing its doors permanently, according to a Tuesday evening announcement via social media.

The English Tudor-style theatre, positioned quaintly at 113 Budleigh Street since 1934, has been a staple in cinematic experiences since it’s initial opening in 1918 and has tendered movie-lovers for well over a century.

In a Facebook post thanking the community for their long-time dedication, the theatre owners credit the solemn decision to close the theatre due to decreasing attendance, increasing expenses, and additional changes. The news also comes after costly technical difficulties involving a projector replacement for the theatre.

The full statement from The Creef Family is as follows:

After much discussion, thought and consideration, it is with a great deal of sadness, we, as the Creef family, have had to make the extremely difficult decision of not reopening The Pioneer Theater.
This decision has not been made lightly, and has been something that has been coming for a long period of time, as we have watched decreasing attendance, increasing expenses, and changes in the theater industry over the years, all of which have contributed to ever increasing yearly financial losses.
We feel greatly honored and proud to have been an integral part of such a wonderful community over the last 104 years, serving and providing entertainment and “babysitting” services to many generations.
We would like to thank all of you who have supported us so much over all of these years, especially those who have been our core faithful and loyal customers week after week, year after year. We have enjoyed watching so many of you grow up, and then bring the next generation and introduce them to our popcorn world.
We consider all of you a part of our family and Love you very much. Hopefully, all of you, as part of our popcorn family, understand how hard this decision was for us and respect how much this saddens us.
With Love and Sadness,
Tim, Lizann, and Buddy Creef

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