![\"\"](\"https:\/\/morgancountyusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/star-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThey have sold the iconic Berkeley Springs movie house to Morgan County Commissioner Sean Forney and his wife Jackie Forney.<\/p>\n
The Forney\u2019s first weekend movie will be Alita: Battle Angel<\/em> on April 5-7.<\/p>\n \u201cWe all wanted the transition to be seamless,\u201d said Mozier. The rest of April is \u201cWe\u2019re pleased that Sean and Jackie want to keep the Star much the way it is,\u201d said Forneys will be only the fourth owners in the century-old building on a main corner \u201cWe appreciate the historic responsibility,\u201d said Sean.<\/p>\n Built originally by the Johnson family as a car storage garage in 1916, the brick structure was turned into a movie theater in 1928.<\/p>\n Several operators leased the business over the years and in 1949, the Alpine chain took it Mozier and Soronen bought the theater from Evelyn Lynn in 1977 changing the name to the Star.<\/p>\n The theatre is listed on the WV Historic Theater Tour.<\/p>\n \u201cWe love the vintage look,\u201d said Sean Forney \u201cand hope to enhance it in the future.\u201d They also have long term plans that will add occasional special events including live concerts.<\/p>\n The Forney\u2019s said they are dedicated to keep the Star\u2019s famous popcorn with real butter.<\/p>\n \u201cJeanne has emphasized how important the popcorn and the amazing machine are A veterinary technician now on break as a stay-at-home mom with three children, Jackie thinks the happiest outcome is that her goats and chickens love the leftover popcorn.<\/p>\n Both Sean and Jackie are looking forward to working the Star as a family. \u201cIt\u2019s great Sean and Jackie also own an insurance agency and several clusters of storage units.<\/p>\n Sean was recently elected to the Morgan County Commission.<\/p>\n Mozier said that Mary Hott of the West Virginia Small Business Development Center was \u201cextremely helpful in shepherding the sale.\u201d<\/p>\n Hott and both couples agree with the research that shows keeping local movie theaters open is an essential part of an economically healthy small town.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re especially pleased to see the Star Theatre continuing as an arts-based anchor business in the historic downtown of Berkeley Springs,\u201d said Hott.<\/p>\n \u201cThe biggest question we get is what are Jack and I going to do now,\u201d said Mozier. Mozier is a longtime promoter of tourism, local history and the arts in Berkeley Springs. She plans to continue all those activities as well as her travel writing.<\/p>\n \u201cNow we can travel more than two or three days mid week,\u201d Mozier said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" After 42 years of showing movies and making popcorn, Star Theatre owners Jack Soronen and Jeanne Mozier are retiring. They have sold the iconic Berkeley Springs movie house to Morgan County Commissioner Sean Forney and his wife Jackie Forney. The … Continue reading
\nalso booked with something for all parts of the local audience including Captain
\nMarvel.<\/p>\n
\nMozier. \u201cWhen Sean said they wanted to be the next Jack and Jeanne, we knew we
\nfound the right owners.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nin the historic downtown.<\/p>\n
\nover, added the marquee and undertook much of the d\u00e9cor that remains.<\/p>\n
\nSean was adamant that he and Jackie plan to continue the Star Theatre as a
\nfamily-friendly and affordable movie house.<\/p>\n
\nto the Star\u2019s success,\u201d said Jackie who is taking over the popcorn-making task.<\/p>\n
\nthat Sean and I can do something together,\u201d said Jackie, \u201cand that our kids can grow
\nup as part of a family business.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe\u2019re not leaving town but we will be exploring what other people do on weekends besides going to a movie at the Star.\u201d<\/p>\n