08/27/2026
🎉 Celebrating 15 Years Since The GEM’s Grand Reopening! 🎉
Before it became The GEM Theatre, our historic building was a furniture warehouse and mercantile. In 1927, it transformed into The GEM, and by 1939 - thanks to a partnership with Martin Theatres - it expanded into its current space. For nearly four decades, it was Calhoun’s only movie house, with locals still endearingly referring to it as the “old Martin” or “old Martin-GEM” theatre.
After closing its doors and spending two decades as The Haberdasher, the theatre was revived by the vision of Pearl King and the King family, who formed the nonprofit Friends of Calhoun’s GEM Theatre. Their dedication and the support of the community brought the building back to life, and on August 27, 2011, The GEM reopened as a cornerstone for live entertainment, free movies, community partnerships, and local events.
Today, we continue to operate as a nonprofit, grateful for your unwavering support and excited for the decades ahead!
Have any memories or pictures of The GEM Theatre – or The "old" Martin? Post below!
Don’t Forget! Join us this Saturday, August 29 for a FREE showing of “Back to the Future” at 7pm.
Learn more about The GEM, our events, and how you can support us at www.calhoungemtheatre.org.
