Sag Harbor Movie Theater's Iconic Sign Saved, Community Rejoices

SAG HARBOR, NY — Residents mourning the loss of the Sag Harbor Cinema after a devastating fire swept through the village Friday found a ray of hope: The beloved and iconic neon sign from the movie theater was saved.

"As a lifelong resident of this town it was so sad to watch this develop over the day," said Sandi Kruel. "My heart broke — but watching the brave men and women who came together without a blink of a eye tells the real story of the magnificent town."

When the sign was salvaged from the ruins, as the theater was being demolished Friday night, residents shed tears of joy.

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

For Kruel, and many others, the sign is jewel of hope salvaged from the ashes.

Kruel said she and the community wish to thank Chris Denon and the crew at Twin Forks Moving & Storage, who moved and will store the sign.

"We were all hoping the sign could be saved," she said. "Actually, my brother-in-law Rick Kruel worked on it just a few years back in the restoration, so to see just that little piece of history saved and no one being hurt —it was a true Christmas miracle for Sag Harbor Village. Once again we are forever grateful to be able to call this place home. I hope and pray we rebuild as close to the original as we can for the sake of tomorrow's children."