BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Movies on Main recorded sharp increases in attendance and revenue this summer, according to a report presented Monday to the Martin County Public Library Board of Trustees.

The report, prepared by Movies on Main manager Justin Maynard and delivered to the board by Library director Kenzie Pemberton, showed that 5,242 patrons visited the theater from April 28 through Aug. 24. That was up from 3,174 during the same period in 2025, an increase of more than 65%.

Box office revenue climbed nearly 49%, from $19,945 in 2025 to $29,638 this year.

Concession sales posted an even larger gain, rising from $17,333 to $32,387, up nearly 87%.

Overall gross income for the period increased from $37,278 in 2025 to $62,025 this year — a gain of $24,747 or more than 66%.

Library trustees Barry Webb, Maurice Mills and Heather Perry were pleased with the news.

“That’s pretty good,” Webb said.

They were also happy with the new lighting in the theaters.

“I also think the marketing and advertising are really good,” Pemberton said. “And our social media is doing great.”

Maynard had to create a new theater Facebook page after the board lost access to its original Movies on Main page, which had 8,700 fans, following the resignation of the former theater manager and the former facility manager in April. He is working to build the fan base for the new page, Movies on Main at the Collier Center.