Watch our documentary!

Want to learn more about how the Reeves was renovated and reopened? Enjoy the documentary Reeves: A Home for Music by filmmaker Michael Lippert about the renovation and reopening process.

Most people who grew up near Elkin, NC have fond memories of the Reeves. The beautiful Art -Deco movie house was originally opened in 1941, showing films and news reels of the day. Later, it was converted into the Elk Twin, also a movie theater, before eventually falling into disrepair. The people of Elkin knew this place was too special to lose, but times were tough and funds were low. Years passed and the Reeves sat empty, slowly being improved and preserved by dedicated citizens.

Finally, in 2013, the Reeves was up for sale, and three long-time Elkin residents decided to buy it and turn it into a live music venue. Employing and partnering with as many local craftspeople and manufacturers as possible, they fully restored the original building facade, and rebuilt the sign and marquee to the specifications of the original architectural plans. The inside was converted into a modern industrial music hall, with great acoustics and superior sound quality as the primary goal. The lobby also functions as a cafe and bar, featuring locally-sourced meats, dairy, and produce as well as local craft beer and wine.

In 2020, like so many small businesses, the Reeves was forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Reeves patrons rallied behind the venue and its staff to raise money and keep up an interest until a safe reopening was possible in the summer of 2021.

The Reeves Theater & Cafe owners and staff hope the space will serve as a home for music, showcasing not only the rich local musical traditions of the Yadkin Valley and Foothills, but also the talents of artists from around the country and the world. The Reeves is a symbol of the strength and diversity of this beautiful region, the richness of tradition, and the dedication of the local community to art and music.

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