Months after plans were first announced, the transformation of the former Charles Hardware building into the North Shore Village Theatre is officially in progress.
Demolition began in early June at 19 Glen St., where construction crews have stripped the interior of the long-vacant storefront to make way for Glen Cove’s first community theater. The project, spearheaded by Christopher Moll, founder of Jazz Hands Children’s Theatre and artistic director of NSVT, is aiming for a grand opening this fall.
“We needed a blank slate,” Moll said during a recent site visit. “They’ve taken everything down to the bones so we can rebuild it exactly the way a theater should be.”
The plans call for a 150- to 200-seat venue, complete with a 25-by-35-foot stage, lobby, bar and performance-ready acoustics. Much of the original interior structure, including a ramp and excess wall partitions, has been removed to expand the audience area and improve visibility. The stage will extend into the former sales floor of the hardware store, which operated on the site for over 60 years.
The redesign is being completed in phases, with major upgrades to plumbing, electrical systems and fire sprinklers scheduled in the coming weeks. The construction timeline remains aggressive, with a targeted opening production of Steel Magnolias in October or November.
“This is a dream that’s finally taking shape,” Moll said.
“We’re hoping to stay on track without interruption between construction phases. We’re close to being able to move forward.”
The total cost of the project is expected to exceed $1 million, and fundraising is ongoing. Moll said that about half of that has been raised through private donations, grants and support from local sponsors. NSVT, a nonprofit, is seeking additional funding and corporate partnerships to complete the buildout.
“This isn’t just for Jazz Hands,” Moll clarified. “North Shore Village Theatre and Jazz Hands are two separate entities. Jazz Hands will be a tenant of the theater, not its financial backer. It’s important for people to understand that distinction.”
The project has been a community effort, with support from city officials, business leaders, and property owner Bruce Waller of GW Development, who agreed to a 10-year lease for the space. City Councilwoman Danielle Fugazy Scagliola, a longtime proponent of downtown revitalization, played a key role in securing the agreement.
“For as long as I can remember, that building was Charles Hardware,” Scagliola said. “Now, to stand in there and actually see it turning into a real theater—it’s exciting. You can visualize what it’s going to become.”
Once completed, the venue will offer programming by both NSVT and outside companies. Moll said plans are already in motion to host Ballet Nepantla, a contemporary Mexican folkloric dance company, as well as touring children’s theater groups that incorporate educational workshops.
The theater also aims to improve accessibility to the arts, with plans to offer free tickets to underserved families through partnerships with local nonprofits such as the Boys and Girls Club and the Youth Bureau.
“This will be more than a theater,” Moll said. “It’s a place for the community to connect and be inspired.”
Residents can follow progress or donate at nsvillagetheatre.com.
