Despite Demolition of Lobby, Sag Harbor Cinema's Seating, Interior Remains

SAG HARBOR, NY — In what seems like the biggest Christmas miracle of all, the interior auditorium-seating section of the Sag Harbor Cinema has survived the devastating fire that raced through the village in the pre-dawn hours Friday morning.

Kathryn Szoka, owner of Canio's Books, posted a photo of the theater's familiar fabric-and-metal seats, and the auditorium itself, which was still intact Saturday.

Sag Harbor Village Police Sgt. Rob Drake confirmed Sunday that the rear portion of the theater was, in fact, still standing and intact.

Although the facade of the building, and the large, long lobby, which included the ticket window and concession stand, was destroyed in the blaze and later demolished for safety reasons, the photo, taken Saturday, shows the seats of the theater and auditorium portion, which were located behind the large lobby, still intact.

Some water and smoke damage was noted in the auditorium, and it was not immediately clear, Szoka said, if that back building that housed the cinema itself was structurally sound.

Still, for those mourning the loss of the iconic theater, the photo inspired hope.

"It's good to clarify, because people do have the impression that the entire cinema was destroyed in the fire," Szoka said.

Sag Harbor, she added, has a long history of fires but "always bounces back. Things seem a little bit dark right now, but no one lost their lives. We have to keep it in perspective."

As for the cinema's possible renovation and rebirth, Szoka said, "That's certainly what the community would like to happen. Maybe it will be Sag Harbor's Christmas miracle."

The iconic neon Sag Harbor sign, which graced the facade of the beloved theater, was also saved.