By Jim Bloch
St. Clair County Community College has opened its newest acquisition to the public: SC4 Cinema at Sperry’s.
The movie theater was formerly known as Sperry’s Moviehouse.
The board of trustees of the college voted unanimously Oct. 9 to approve the school’s purchase of City Flats Hotel and the Sperry’s Moviehouse for $5.45 million.
The college announced the reopening of the movie theater Nov. 25.
“Housed in the fully restored historic Sperry’s building at 301 Huron Avenue, the cinema reopens as a vibrant community-centered film destination under SC4’s stewardship,” said Sarah Rutallie, the college’s chief of staff and senior vice president, in a statement. “We’re honored to steward the next chapter of this beloved building. SC4 Cinema at Sperry’s is a place where memories have been made for generations, and we’re thrilled to help create the next generation of memories.” Rutallie called the building an “iconic fixture in downtown Port Huron, long cherished for its architectural character and cultural legacy.” She said SC4’s purchase of the facility will preserve the building’s heritage while bringing fresh energy and purpose to it.
“SC4 Cinema offers a boutique theater experience, continuing Sperry’s tradition of intimate, premium screenings,” Rutallie said. “Under SC4’s leadership, the cinema affirms its role as more than just a movie theater. It is a place of connection, creativity, and community enrichment. The venue will host a mix of mainstream films, independent cinema, special events, and educational screenings that align with SC4’s mission.”
It appears that attending movies at SC4 Cinema at Sperry’s will be significantly cheaper than other theaters in the area. A ticket for a screening of Wicked: For Good tonight, Nov. 26, for example, is $6.50. An adult ticket for the same movie at AMC Birchwood is $15.49. At Krafft 8, an adult ticket is $9.75, plus $1.75 fee if the ticket is booked online.
There are currently no independent films at the SC4 Cinema, only commercial releases. In addition to Wicked: For Good, moviegoers may see Rental Family, Sisu: Road to Revenge, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, The Running Man, Sarah’s Oil, Regretting You and Predator: Badlands. The theater’s website is sc4cinema.com, where film fans may see what movies are playing, check out screening times and purchase tickets. “SC4’s acquisition signals a strategic investment in downtown Port Huron,” Rutallie said. “The reopening of the cinema aligns with SC4’s broader vision of integrated community spaces that support the college’s academic mission.”
Jim Bloch is a freelance writer based in St. Clair, Michigan. Contact him at bloch.jim@gmail.com.
