Sag Harbor Movie Theater Demolished After Fire

SAG HARBOR, NY — And, it's gone.

The sad words echoed throughout Sag Harbor Friday night as the community reeled from the loss of the Sag Harbor Cinema's fire-charred facade, which was demolished after a devastating blaze Friday.

(See video of the demolition below.)

According to Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming, who met with other elected officials including Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman, New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele and Sag Harbor Mayor Sandra Schroeder Friday afternoon, "It had to come down. A structural engineer accompanied by village officials and an expert in historic structures carefully examined what was left of the building this afternoon and evening and determined there was no salvaging it."

Chris Connor, who sits on the Sag Harbor Village architectural review board, said the community was in mourning. "The community is at The American Hotel and quite forlorn. My hope is to rebuild it with a copy of the original facade and make it a new cultural center for the East End."

Nicole Overton Gilbride videotaped the iconic theater's last moments. "It was beyond devastating to watch. My husband was at the fire all day. The rest of us just sat and listened to the scanner all day in disbelief," she said.

Overton Gilbride said it "appears they were able to save the sign. The 'Sag' looked okay. The 'Harbor' was a maybe."

She added, "They dragged the words out with the machine from under the rubble. Then they started demolition in earnest."

At the meeting Friday afternoon, Fleming said Thiele assured Schroeder that a meeting would be held with New York State officials to assist retailers hurt by the fire. Bellone also then arranged for the engineer and expert in historic structures to examine the Sag Harbor Cinema in "order to determine what the best course of action will be to ensure that the structure is safe and that Main Street can be opened for business on Saturday, which, after all, is the last Saturday before the Christmas holiday and critically important to the businesses of downtown restaurants and retailers."

Photo of saved "Sag" sign by Joel Fisher.

Thiele, who lives in Sag Harbor, was bereft Friday. "I was awakened this morning in my house on Fordham Road to the sound of firetrucks racing through my village. I am heartbroken by the damage this fire has caused to my historic village and the loss it has created for so many residents. It is made worse by the proximity of this tragic event to the holidays."

Thiele thanked all the firefighters and emergency service workers "for their efforts to limit the damage and ensuring there was no serious injuries or loss of life. They again persevered against the fire in the cold and wind without regard to their own safety."

Thiele said he's contacted village officials and offered whatever resources his office and the state have to help the village and affected residents in dealing with the aftermath of the fire.

Specifically, he said, in his role as chairman of the Assembly Small Business Committee, he contacted Jim King, Executive Director of the New York State Small Business Development Center, which has an office at Stony Brook University. The Stony Brook Center will be contacting Mayor Schroeder directly, he said.

"We will pursue every available resource including the possibility of a disaster declaration to make resources available. I am also concerned about any village resident who may be made homeless by this fire and providing them with the resources that they may need."

Thiele said he's contacted state housing officials to assist the village.

"My goal is to address any human impacts from this disaster and then take the steps needed to rebuild and preserve our historic Main Street. At a time that is supposed to be all about peace and joy, this disaster hits hard. I am confident that the village again will join together to meet the challenge and we will emerge stronger than ever. "

Photos by Tommy Stuckart and Lynn Falkowski.

Video courtesy of Nicole Overton Gilbride.