Reimagined movie theater wraps up its inaugural year with loyal following

By Marcia Kuszmaul

Homer Independent Press

The Porcupine theater celebrates its first year in business with a gift to the community: $5 movies throughout February. Individual tickets usually are $15 for adults, $12 for youth.

“Our first month of operation, we had $5 February, so we are going to repeat that,” co-owner Susannah Webster said. “It will be our little thank you to Homer for making the first year so awesome.”

What a year it’s been. Co-owners Webster and Nate Spence-Chorman took over a much-loved but declining Homer Theatre that had been on the market for more than 10 years. They conceived and created an entirely different entertainment venue, optimized for movies, live performances and events.

“We knew that we needed to save it,” Webster said. “And we did it — a lot faster than I thought we would.”

For a predictable revenue stream, they introduced an affordable monthly subscription model — unlimited movies and a dollar off popcorn for $20 to $45 depending on age and number of people. They ended the year in the black with more than 800 members.

“Membership allows us to take risks, to subsidize nonprofits, to try new things, to play movies that we know not many people will show up for but that are important,” Webster said. “We don’t have to make every night a blockbuster night.”

A testament to its versatility, since opening Feb. 1, 2025, The Porcupine has screened 309 different films, hosted live performances with 30 bands and musical groups, sold 23,000 tickets and raised more than $60,000 for local nonprofits.

Sara Reinert (left) and Shellie Worsfold, members of the Friends of the Homer Library board of directors, share information in the lobby of The Porcupine, Jan. 22. Beer and wine sales that evening went directly to the Friends. The Porcupine has partnered with 27 different local nonprofits. (Photo by Marcia Kuszmaul/Homer Independent Press)

“They have brought an entirely new asset to our community,” Brad Anderson, executive director of the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, said. “It’s something that Homer has lacked, a mid-sized multi-use facility. It’s phenomenal.”

Pier One Theatre has worked with The Porcupine on three big projects, including a sold-out talent show and, in December, a live reading and sing-along of “Scrooge’s Christmas.” Jennifer Norton, Pier One’s executive director, has found the venue a “gateway space” to experiment with new content without a lot of effort.

“People are excited about it,” Norton said. “We can do it at The Porcupine!” is a refrain she hears a lot.

She appreciates not only that the owners kept the theater going but that they turned it into an exciting, beautiful space. “I feel transported when I come in here,” she said.

Norton also said the live performances have given local musicians an opportunity to be seen and heard beyond the orchestra pits of Pier One productions.

Arthur Miller’s one-act play “Incident at Vichy,” directed by Maynard Smith, is the first full-play production at The Porcupine, Jan. 22. (Photo by Marcia Kuszmaul/Homer Independent Press)

Charles Aguilar is a vocalist and guitarist with The Wet Spots, a local rock trio that has played The Porcupine several times. He calls the performance experience “classy.”

“The performer and the audience can focus on each other,” he said. “If you’re in a bar or restaurant, there may not be a whole lot of focus on what’s going on on the stage; there’s a lot of background. Here, you’re focused on what’s going on. It feels professional.”

Aguilar and his wife, Nancy Johnson, are Porcupine members and regulars. They come to see movies they’ve never seen, ones they loved as children or ones they’ve never seen on the big screen.

“I love to play hooky and come to the matinee sometimes,” Johnson said. “There are regulars that you see, and there’s just so many different choices every month.”

The couple likes the comfortable chairs above the theater seating and the Clandestine Cinema Club, when The Porcupine advertises a secret members-only movie.

From the start, Webster said they wanted the theater to be accessible to everyone and all ages. Saturday Morning Cartoons has been a feature since opening, giving families opportunities to get out of the house or drop off their kids. Monday’s movies now include open captioning when available, and every week, beginning 10 a.m. Saturday morning, anyone with a library card can check out a free movie pass at the Homer Public Library, first-come, first-served.

The concession stand opened with standard popcorn, soda and candy. Now, in partnership with Pika Pika, a local food truck vendor, it offers gourmet pretzels, hot dog variations, like a Japanese Therapy Dog, and designer nachos. Over the winter, Pika Pika has started serving lunch in the theater 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesdays to Fridays.

Finnley Stineff, a life-long Homer resident, has been a member of The Porcupine crew since it opened.

“I originally applied because I loved the Homer Theatre,” he said. “I came here all the time when I was little, and I wanted to see what they were going to do with this new place. I wanted to be a part of it.

“I’ve noticed more care for the space and more care for the experience of theater goers,” Stineff said. “Now, there are people that come in regularly. We recognize them. There’s definitely a community that’s built around the theater.”

Young people are being drawn into that community. Dayus Geysbeek, a senior at Homer High School who works the concession, said he and his peers are coming to the movies more often now.

“The movies are more interesting than new releases,” he said.

A new thing that’s exciting to Geysbeek is the all-ages events, like this year’s Halloween Spectacle. “It’s a concert environment without alcohol,” he said. “It’s a way for younger people to participate in the community.”

A ghoulish crowd enjoys music, dancing, tricks and treats at The Porcupine’s all-ages Halloween Spectacle, Oct. 31, 2025. (Photo by R.C. Kincaid provided by The Porcupine)


At a recent movie, a small crowd of enthusiasts streamed in for a new Japanese anime.  

“We drove 30 minutes for this,” Genevieve Winrod of Anchor Point said. “We really like the eclectic selection, especially anime. It’s wonderful to see the movie theater changing with the times.”

Miguel Ramos, who grew up in Homer, bemoaned the loss of the skating rink and the bowling alley where his generation could hang out. He thought The Porcupine was helping to fill that gap. But tonight, he said, “I’m not going to the movie. I’m just here to get some popcorn.”

Some things are too good to change.