After an outpouring of support, the Chelsea Theater will continue operating under new ownership.

The future of the small theater in Chapel Hill was in question when the current owner announced late last year that he would not be renewing the theater’s lease and, unless new ownership was identified, the theater located in Timberlyne Shopping Center would be closing.

That inspired some local residents to gauge community interest in keeping the theater open and possibly changing to a non-profit model. That group announced on Thursday that they had reached an agreement with the current owner to take over operations of the Chelsea effective March 30.

“We expect a seamless transition,” president of the Save the Chelsea organization Tom Henkel said in a release. “Film goers can anticipate that we will begin to introduce a few new things immediately—such as a membership program with discounts on tickets, but we plan to move deliberately and gather input from our audiences.”

The group received an overwhelmingly supportive response, Henkel said, to a community survey put out with intentions to see if there would be community interest in keeping the theater open. And the organizers parlayed that support into nearly $80,000, as of Friday afternoon. They had set a goal of raising $150,000 to cover the group’s goals for the first year of operation.

Theater leadership say that the Chelsea will continue showing “first run, independent, documentary, and specialty films” as patrons are accustomed to seeing. But they add that the theater “plans to add new offerings, such as film-related discussions, showings by area filmmakers and classic films.”

Officials from the new ownership group say they have the support of the previous owners in the new venture.

The public will have a chance to weigh in on the future of the theater at a community meeting scheduled for Sunday, March 4, from 2 – 4 p.m. at Flyleaf Books.

Related Stories
‹
Local Group Considering Effort to Save Chapel Hill's Chelsea Theater
Local residents are mulling an attempt to save a Chapel Hill theater. Ownership of the Chelsea Theater in Timberlyne Shopping Center said in November that the future of the theater famous for showing independent films for nearly three decades was up in the air. “Now in the last year of our current 5 year lease, […]
Future of Chelsea Theater Uncertain
With the end of the Chelsea Theater’s current five-year lease looming, the future of the Chapel Hill stalwart for independent films remains uncertain. The theater released a statement suggesting that its current owner Bruce Stone may be nearing retirement. “On November 16 we will have started our 28th year of operation. Now in the last […]
East Franklin Street Reopens After Repair of Small Sinkhole, Traffic Detours
The Town of Chapel Hill issued an alert at 3:40 p.m. on Monday saying East Franklin Street had been repaired from the sinkhole and any resulting damage.
Car Crash and Downed Utility Lines Close NC 54 Near Chapel Hill on Thursday
Traffic on one of Chapel Hill's most traveled roads, NC 54, is being diverted Thursday thanks to a car crash and subsequent road closure.
Chapel Hill: LUMO, Summer Camp, Upcoming Events
Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, January 8, discussing town news and events. She talked about the town returning to a more normal schedule after the holidays. They both discussed the challenges around signing kids up for summer camp in the Chapel Hill area. She also talked about the town council meeting from this week which included discussion of amendments for the town's Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO), and more.
On Air Today: 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com Social Media Manager Henry Taylor
The Hill and Chapelboro.com Social Media Manager Henry Taylor spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Monday, January 5. They discussed New Year's activities and plans for 2026. They discussed the latest on Chapelboro social media, including end of year music countdowns, top stories of 2025, and more.
Inclusive Employer Extraordinary Ventures to Take Over CommunityWorx's Thrift Shop
Extraordinary Ventures, a nonprofit that provides jobs to adults with disabilities, will add the Carrboro thrift shop to its operations.
Sheriff's Office Charges Florida Man After Burglary, Card Theft in Briar Chapel
The Chatham County Sheriff's Office announced several felony charges against a Florida man on Friday following an investigation into a larceny and fraudulent use of credit cards last week.
H&H Bagels Sets Opening Date in Chapel Hill's University Place
H&H Bagels, a chain of restaurants based out of New York, will open its new Chapel Hill location at University Place next week.
On Air Today: Mama Dip's New Year's Meal Tradition Returns at Tonya's
Tonya Council of Tonya's Cookies and Cafe is bringing back a Mama Dip's tradition with a New Years Day Feast, which will be available January 1, New Year's Day, at the Cafe on S. Elliot Road in Chapel Hill and also available for takeout and pre-order. Tonya spoke with 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell about bringing this tradition back to Chapel Hill.  
›