Since its opening eight years ago in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Greenpoint, the Stuart Cinema & Café has operated as one of only a handful of single-screen independent theatres in New York City. The theatre has been profitable despite the challenges of the COVID-era shutdowns and the slow recovery in moviegoing that followed.
Its founder and owner Emelyn Stuart faced another curveball last year when her landlord in Brooklyn informed her that the building housing her theatre would be converted into condominiums. Intent on saving her cinema, Stuart found a new location in the Queens neighborhood of Long Island City and made the move earlier this year.
The local online publication QNS published a profile on Smart and the Stuart Cinema, which has used the move to expand to two screens. Stuart highlighted the installation of upgraded projectors, new seating, and a kitchen to provide customers with more expansive food choices. She is also continuing to offer her popular watch parties and birthday rentals. “It took me eight years to build the audience and the following,” said Stuart. “I had to move quickly, and I’m very happy to have found this space.”
