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Somerville

CSB Theatres Purchases Historic Somerville Theatre

The new owners launched a fundraiser to address debt after buying the $12 million Davis Square property.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Dance

Detailed view of the historic theater's ornate brick and stone facade in Somerville, showing architectural preservation.
CSB Theatres, Inc. has acquired the historic Somerville Theatre for $12 million, launching a $90,000 community fundraiser to support the venue's ongoing operations. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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CSB Theatres, Inc. has officially purchased the historic Somerville Theatre building for $12 million. To manage the debt from this acquisition, the owners have started a $90,000 community fundraising campaign.

Why it matters

The acquisition secures the long-term future of a landmark venue that has served the community since 1914. Raising capital through the public campaign is a crucial step for the new owners to stabilize operations.

The property includes a main auditorium with 840 seats and three total screens. The current GoFundMe campaign has raised over $7,000 toward its $90,000 goal as of late Friday.

The players

CSB Theatres, Inc.

This company is an independent cinema and event operator that also manages the Capitol Theatre in East Arlington.

The details

CSB Theatres, Inc., which also operates the Capitol Theatre in East Arlington, took over film and live music operations at the site in 2025. In addition to the public fundraiser, the group is selling merchandise and memberships to support its debt reduction efforts.

Timeline

  1. The Somerville Theatre first opened its doors on May 11, 1914.

  2. CSB Theatres, Inc. assumed control of venue operations in 2025.

  3. The property was officially listed for sale in the summer of 2026.

  4. The purchase and fundraising campaign were announced on October 23, 2026.

  5. A nonprofit is scheduled to be established in 2027 to support future programming.

Industry Dynamics

This acquisition aligns with the broader independent cinema preservation movement that prioritizes maintaining historic neighborhood venues over new development. The strategy reflects a shift where operators seek ownership to ensure programming stability against market volatility.

Residents can continue to access the theatre for films and live music performances as the new owners take over daily management. Those interested in supporting the venue can donate to the ongoing fundraiser or purchase memberships and merchandise.

The takeaway

Community-led fundraising can provide a vital financial cushion for independent venues transitioning to new ownership. Supporters looking to preserve local cultural sites often find that purchasing membership tiers offers the most direct benefit to operational sustainability.

What happens next

The owners are planning to establish a nonprofit organization in 2027 to oversee and support long-term programming for the theatre.

Further reading

Learn more about the local arts scene at Dance.

Live Poll

Do you feel a responsibility to contribute financially to support local historic venues in your area?