Story Screen reopening movie theater in Hudson

Story Screen, a community of film lovers who screen films and hold pop-up events, is working to reopen a movie theater in Hudson. The theater at 160 Fairview Avenue was most recently the home of the Madison Theatre, which closed both its Hudson and Albany theaters in the past few months.

HUDSON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Story Screen, a community of film lovers that screen films and hold pop-up events, is working to reopen a movie theater in Hudson. The theater at 160 Fairview Avenue was most recently the home of the Madison Theatre, which closed both its Hudson and Albany theaters in the past few months.

Founder Mike Burdge started Story Screen in 2014 as a way to share his love of movies, said Diana DiMuro, a member of the Story Screen management team. Burdge helped open and manage Story Screen Beacon Theater and Story Screen Drive-In in Beacon before parting ways with his partners in 2023.

"When Mike left the theater in Beacon, a colleague let him know that the owners of the Madison Theatres in both Albany and Hudson were looking to sell the business," said DiMuro. "We looked into both locations and ultimately decided to start smaller with the Hudson location which shares a lot of similarities with Beacon."

DiMuro said they are working on repairing the theater and making sure the equipment is working. Burdge and DiMuro set up a GoFundMe to raise money to help them reopen the theater, which recently hit its goal of $10,000.

The Hudson theater has three screens and the seats have built-in counters in front for guests can bring in drinks and food. Concessions will include candy, popcorn, chicken fingers, pizza, pretzels, and more.

"We are partnering with our friends who own Happy Valley Arcade Bar and Sunshine Laundromat and Pinball to provide pinball and retro arcade games in our lobby that can be enjoyed before a movie or any time," said DiMuro. "That way people have the option to get food, drinks, and hang in the arcade whether or not they end up seeing a movie."

DiMuro said they are also applying for a fill liquor license. Burdge and DiMuro are aiming to open Story Screen Cinema sometime in June.

"We are super excited to welcome our friends and Story Screen family to the new Story Screen Cinema and to meet people within the Hudson and Greenport communities," said DiMuro. "It’s going to be a busy summer!"