The new Hellertown dental practice of Dr. James Newman will open at The Movies–a former theater at 1154 Main Street–with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mayor Richard Fluck announced at borough council’s meeting Monday night.
The building has been renovated and its exterior remodeled since Newman purchased it from its previous owner–the late George Howey–in 2014. Part of the rear section of the building was also removed to create a small parking area.
A prominent Art Deco architectural landmark, the Movies opened as the Sauconia theater in 1940.
It was more or less in continuous use as a movie theater until 2001.
Newman also owns Easton Family Dental, and according to his biography on the website for that practice he has been a practicing dentist in the Lehigh Valley for more than 16 years.
In addition to Newman’s dental office, the renovated building is expected to house a salon and day spa.
The facade of the former movie theater at 1154 Main St., Hellertown, is still being finished in preparation for its reopening as a dental office on Aug. 3, 2015. Credit: Josh Popichak