Hopewell Theater plans reopening at new Broad Street location

By AI, Created 11:46 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Hopewell Theater is preparing to reopen at 7 West Broad Street in Hopewell after New Jersey passed a law and local ordinance allowing theaters to apply for liquor licenses. The move could restore a key revenue stream that helps live venues cover costs and stay open.

Why it matters: - Hopewell Theater closed in 2024 after rising costs and the lack of a liquor license squeezed one of its key income sources. - The new state law and local ordinance give the theater a path to pursue earned revenue from alcohol sales, which can be critical for live-performance venues. - The reopening would return a cultural gathering space to Hopewell while supporting the theater’s long-term financial stability.

What happened: - Hopewell Theater is planning to reopen at 7 West Broad Street in Hopewell, New Jersey. - New Jersey passed a theater liquor license law in 2025, and Hopewell Borough later approved an ordinance allowing borough theaters to apply for the new license. - The theater’s new space will be renovated after formal approval to change its use from restaurant to dine-in theater. - After that approval, Hopewell Theater plans to apply to the borough for a theater liquor license.

The details: - Sara Scully, co-founder and former executive director of Hopewell Theater, said the theater now has a pathway to reopening. - Scully also thanked Hopewell Borough Council, Governor Phil Murphy and the legislators who backed the bill. - Hopewell Theater leadership worked on the liquor-license bill with ArtPride New Jersey. - The legislation received bipartisan support and was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy. - The bill expands eligibility to nonprofit and for-profit theaters, along with small movie theaters across New Jersey. - Hopewell Theater says the new space will keep the selectively eclectic programming it was known for, in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. - ArtPride New Jersey said New Jersey’s nonprofit arts and culture sector generates $692.1 million a year, supports nearly 13,000 jobs and produces more than $156.6 million in tax revenue for state and local governments. - ArtPride New Jersey said liquor sales add a self-sustaining income stream for the sector. - More information is available at Hopewell Theater’s website.

Between the lines: - The theater’s plan shows how a change in state licensing rules can alter the economics of a local venue. - The new alcohol license pathway may matter as much as the new address, because the license is tied to reopening viability. - The bipartisan vote signals that support for arts venues crossed usual political lines in this case.

What’s next: - Hopewell Theater needs formal approval to change the use of the Broad Street property from restaurant to dine-in theater. - The theater then has to apply for the borough’s new theater liquor license. - Renovation of the new location will follow those approvals. - The theater will share reopening updates through its website.