The Star Theatre, located on Main Street in the small town of Huntington, Utah, has been in continuous operation since it was built in the mid-1940s.

The 500-seat theater has a functioning cry room for parents of small children. The projection system has a wooden platter and the sound system uses vacuum tubes.

In February 2002 the Star Theatre was purchased by Huntington residents Percy and Janice Mounteer.  The Mounteers replaced the carpet in the lobby and auditorium, installed a new sign and lights on the marquee, replaced the screen, painted the outside of the building and furniture within, and bought a new popcorn popper.  The restrooms were remodeled and equipped with hot water for the first time.  The coal furnace was replaced with a gas one.  "The coal heat was pretty dirty and it's taken a while to clean everything up."^[1]

In April 2003 the Huntington Chamber of Commerce gave the Mounteers the New Business of the Year award for their work cleaning and fixing up the Star Theatre.^[2]

"It's like a hobby and it's been a lot of fun.  We're excited to be here. We enjoy seeing the kids enjoy it.  Grandparents have been bringing their grandchildren to the show and it's fun to see.  It is a labor of love for the community," said Janice Mounteer.^[1]

In April 2003 the city of Huntington demolished two abandoned buildings next to the Star Theatre because they were a safety hazard and major eyesore on Main Street.^[3]   The Mounteers purchased the property for $25,500 and paved the first half to provide parking for the theater and other downtown businesses.  The back portion of the property was to be used to create "a green space with trees, grass and a skatepark."^[4]  The Mounteers also planned to build an addition to the back of the Star Theatre for a donut and fast food business.

The Mounteers had gathered 3,500 signatures on petitions which supported their bid for the property adjacent to the theater.  The Huntington City Council awarded them the bid based on "what the buyer had in mind for the property and what would be the greatest benefit to the city and its residents."^[4]  A higher bid from another interested party was rejected.

1. "The New Owners of the Movie Theatre in Huntington Are Well on Their Way to Creating a Shining Star", Emery County Progress, 25 June 2002
2. "Star Theatre - New Business of the Year", Emery County Progress, 29 April 2003
3. "Bringing Down the House", Emery County Progress, 22 April 2003
4. "Huntington Bid Winner Announced", Emery County Progress, 1 July 2003