Longtime Williamstown Residents Reflect on The Grand

Joseph and Karen Knecht, each Williamstown residents of more than 50 years, have many fond memories of the Grand Theatre. Williamstown has grown significantly in the last half-century, but there was a time when this theater was one of the few sources of entertainment.

"Prior to the emergence of multiplexes you could only see one movie per building," Joe recalls. "You looked in the paper for the movie you wanted and had to go to that location. The Grand was the only place in Williamstown where you could see movies. The next closest theater was in Glassboro."

Karen remembers the theater for its movies, but also as an auditorium for St. Mary's Catholic school, which at the time was located next door.

"We didn't have a school auditorium, and The Grand was a stone's throw away. All of the kid's would walk down the street and we would pile into the theater, which had both auditorium and balcony seating."

Unfortunately, the decline of the theater's movie showing days began when multiplexes sprung up in the immediate area. However, The Grand held on to a slightly altered business model as long as possible. Joe remembers their new strategy.

"They turned themselves into a "dollar-theater," showing movies that had already been out for a few weeks at a reduced price. You couldn't see things there the day they came out, but if you were willing to wait you got to see them for a very low cost. It was a pretty good deal."

Eventually, the multiplexes got too big, and even with films that cost a dollar to see The Grand could no longer compete. It was then that the theater was forced to close its doors until being re-opened for plays years later.