The Avon Theatre was built 109 years ago. With the death of the owner, Skip Huston, what does this mean for the Avon?
Locally known for their deliciously buttered popcorn, cheap prices, and homely environment, the Avon is a Decatur favorite.
The Avon Theatre is located in downtown Decatur. The Avon opened for its first showing on November 28, 1916, where they showed The Fall of a Nation.
Although there were other theaters in the area, like the Lincoln Square Theater, the Avon only showed movies, not concerts or plays. At this time, movies were believed to last a short while, and no one had any hopes in the Avon.
Although the Avon went through a rough history, with the ceiling collapsing during the 1950s, they renovated with high hopes. Over the years the Avon slowly declined and was forced to close in 1986. Skip Huston bought the Avon in 1999, and it was reopened.
When Huston bought the Avon, he brought life back to the theater due to his love and passion for movies. Since then, He has been a well known icon around Decatur and with the Avon being a family owned business, it only added to his likeness and popularity.
Huston was relentless when it came to keeping the Avon open, and it has been through many struggles.
“The Avon has survived two pandemics, two world wars. And it’s still here, and it’s still going strong.” said Huston in an interview with WAND-TV in 2021.
During 109 years, Huston was the owner of the Avon Theater for over 25 of those years. He was referred to as the “Head Honcho” and was always very nice to everyone who came to the Avon to see a movie.
The Avon was like a home to him and his family. Sadly, Skip Huston passed away on January 31st of this year. Once he passed, his family announced it in a post on Facebook, and posted a GoFundMe, where people could donate for funeral costs and give towards the Avon Theater.
On February 11, they officially announced that they were closing the Avon Theater. Unfortunately, the Avon has too much debt that imposed a high financial burden on Huston’s family, and they have struggled with this for the past few years.
Decatur will be forever grateful to Skip Huston and his family for bringing the Avon back to life, and for devoting so much time to the happiness of others. We will all remember his love for theater and what he gave to the community.
