What was once the only Black-owned movie theater in Maryland has reopened with new owners.

The old Pikes Theatre is back open for its next act as Pikes Studio Cinemas.

History of Pikes Theatre

The original Pikes movie theater opened in 1938 and closed in 1984. It has had several owners and reopened in 2017 as Next Act Cinemas.

But in 2024, the owners announced they were closing their doors.

Less than six months later, the theater reopened with new owners and operator, Michael Eugene Johnson.

Johnson is no stranger to the movie business in Baltimore County. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, he recognized that movie theaters were more than just venues; they were vital community hubs.

"I had theaters for over 30 years, multiple theaters, and when I saw the opportunity, it was a

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