Mercer

The Mercer theater was opened in 1938 across the street from the Royal (Lavon) theater. The theater was renovated in 1956. It closed about 1977. Kings Gallery occupied the space until about 1986. The building burned and was demolished.

During the late 1940s and 1950s the Polk Directory for Bluefield and Princeton listed the Mercer theater under the ownership of Princeton Theatres, Inc. with Hallie Joseph Gilbert, president and manager, Earl R. Price, assistant manager and Raymond Leroy Watters, secretary-treasurer.

The obituary for Earl Price (1926-2014) listed him as owner and operator of the Mercer theater.  Earl started working for the Royal theater in 1945 when he was 18.

The Royal theater was geared more toward the younger crowd, showing westerns and cartoons on Saturday mornings. The cost for children was 5 cents. For a quarter young people could pay for admission and buy popcorn and a pop to enjoy while watching the movie.

The Mercer theater was geared more toward adult movie goers. The cost of admission at the Mercer theater was twenty-five cents. They showed some x-rated movies at night.

The burned and demolished building left a gaping spot on Mercer Street. When the community banded together to turn Mercer Street’s “ugly spot” into Princeton Town Square, Dick Copeland stepped up with funds, time and commitment. In the summer of 2012 Princeton City Council rewarded his work and dedication by renaming the square Dick Copeland Town Square. (Hometown Heroes.)