Sayville Movie Theater Open Under New, Yet Previous Management

SAYVILLE, NY — Three weeks ago, Devin Fickling never imagined running a movie theater. But since Feb. 10, the property manager and his family are operating the beloved Sayville Theaters, formerly known as Sayville Cinemas, as new management.

Fickling, the manager, said his parents, John Fickling and Rosemary Perry, bought the building at 103 Railroad Ave. in 1991. The family ran the theater themselves for a few years, and later rented it to a series of tenants over the next three decades.

In 2020, the most recent tenant temporarily closed the theater due to pandemic. The business re-opened in November 2021.

However, Fickling said the previous tenant did not pay rent for nearly 35 months, despite receiving a COVID relief grant. The family took the tenant to court, where they reached a settlement.

The change in management left many Sayville residents confused about the status of the movie theater. And On Feb. 15, Sayville Cinemas said it closed for good.

"Sayville Cinemas has permanently closed after long court battle with the landlord," it said on its website and social media posts. "We would like to thank Sayville and the surrounding communities for the sixteen years of patronage. It was a pleasure to be your local theater for so long."

But the movie theater didn't skip a day of business, Fickling said. Due to school mid-winter recess, it was a "stressful" start.

One thing that did change is the official name. Fickling said his family previously operated the business under "Sayville Theater," while the most recent tenant used "Sayville Cinemas" to build their own brand.

With the new management, the family wanted to do the same, he said.

While John and Rosemary are still involved behind the scenes, Fickling and his wife, Gabi Blandin, run day-to-day operations.

To be running the business with his family, Fickling said, is an unexpected blessing.

"My wife has so much passion for this place," he said. "Eventually I want my kids to work with that to this theater as well."

But the biggest differences, Fickling said, will be making improvements and much-needed renovations to the building. For example, several projectors could no longer be used, and one theater needed a completely new screen.

"We came in, and the carpets were black from just not being cleaned," Fickling said. "I have broken machines that I have vendors coming to just take away, completely broken."

At this time, theaters 2 and 4 are open, showing "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania," "Cocaine Bear" and "Creed III." The movies are "playing beautifully," he said.

The business also hired a completely new "amazing" staff.

"This new generation has taught me so much," said Fickling. "These kids do a lot behind the scenes. And they care about this place as much as I do."

In addition to current renovations, Fickling told Patch he wishes to involve the community in more events.

For example, he plans to hire an event organizer to coordinate live performances in the upstairs theater.

"It is really magical up there," he said.

Fickling also hopes to obtain a liquor license so that the theater can serve alcoholic drinks at certain hours.

"I'm going to rise to this occasion, and give the community the best movie theater that I possibly can," he said.

The charm of a local neighborhood theater will continue to live on, he said, and acknowledged the previous tenant did a good job of "keeping the community happy."

The business will continue its popular $5 matinée tickets and inexpensive concession prices.

"This is one of Long Island's surviving small movie theaters," Fickling said. "I know that the change in streaming services have changed things a lot. We really aim to give people that classic cinematic experience. We're going to be upgrading our equipment to save the art and making sure that we give the big chains stiff competition."

Although running a movie theater was an unexpected career plot, Fickling told Patch that he understands how much the business means to the community.

"I have a million stories where every time this place comes up, people just light up with memories," he said.

He, too, understands that sense of wonder. As a teen, Fickling himself worked at the theater. Some of the most iconic moments of his life happened in those very seats.

"I saw movies here like Jurassic Park, and the Titanic in the 90s. This theater has been a part of multiple stages of my life," said Fickling. "It feels good to finally be able to make sure that the customers and the employees are really going to be taken care of."

To view Sayville Theater's show times, view its website here.