After 24 years, Nasim & Chris Kuenzel have decided to retire from their position as owners of the CAMEO Art House Theatre. The theater will become available for new ownership at the end of 2024.
“We are looking for a new family, group or individual to carry on the legacy of Fayetteville’s historic cinema, maintain an inspirational arts venue, and shepherd the iconic edifice into its next visionary chapter,” the couple shared on Facebook.
First opened in 1914 as the NEW DIXIE, a silent moving pictures theater, the building eventually transitioned into Dixie Billiards and Eddie's Music Center. The business’s success was temporary and the building was later condemned during a period of decline.
In 1997, the Kuenzels, along with Eric Lindstrom, dreamed of opening a unique and state-of-the-art independent cinema in the former Dixie Theater at 225 Hay Street. For three years, the three researched the movie industry, visited several successful indie theaters and began working to restore the historic building. In October of 2000, the CAMEO Art House Theatre opened its doors.
In 2002, the CAMEO blossomed into a two-screen venue by opening The LOGE, an intimate 38-seat screening room on the second floor. Capitalizing on a strong commitment to historic preservation and NC tax credits, the project was awarded the prestigious Gertrude S. Caraway Award of Merit in 2003.
Since then, the CAMEO has hosted countless award-winning films, festivals, movie premieres and community events.
In 2012 the motion picture industry experienced a seismic shift. A dedicated group of supporters banded together, forming a SAVE OUR CAMEO fundraising campaign that allowed the theater to evolve into the digital age with new projection equipment.
Today, the CAMEO continues to thrive as an arts venue dedicated to showcasing a diverse assortment of the best independent, documentary, foreign, classic and family films. In addition to hosting concerts, plays and comedy shows, CAMEO serves as a premier public event gathering space welcome to all.
Anyone interested in inquiring about ownership should reach out to nasim@cameoarthouse.com.
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