Volunteers at Habitat for Humanity build a new home. (Photo Courtesy of Habitat for Humanity)
After 17 years under the management of The Common Man Family, Plymouth's Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center is entering a new chapter as ownership transitions to Pemi-Valley Habitat for Humanity.
Supporters say the move will preserve the venue's legacy while expanding its effect on the community. The donation marks the culmination of a vision shared by Common Man founder Alex Ray and Habitat leaders, who saw an opportunity to pair one of the region's most beloved entertainment venues with a mission to address local housing needs.
“Alex has been talking about some transitions in his business for more than a year,” says Susan Mathison, president of Pemi-Valley Habitat for Humanity. “He’s a longtime supporter of Habitat, and he saw the Flying Monkey as a way to continue his passion project while helping support affordable housing in the Pemi Valley.”
Ray purchased the vacant theater in 2009, restoring the historic Main Street landmark and reopening it in 2010 as a dinner-and-show venue. Since then, the Flying Monkey has become a cultural anchor for downtown Plymouth, hosting more than 150 events and welcoming roughly 20,000 guests annually.
Common Man CEO Sean Brown says Habitat's values closely align with those of the hospitality company. “We share many of the same desires and goals,” Brown says. “We’re very proud to be aligned with them and to have them take over the operations of the Flying Monkey. We feel strongly they’ll continue pushing it forward in the manner Alex envisioned.”
For patrons, the transition is expected to be nearly seamless, Mathison says. Habitat plans to retain the entire staff, including General Manager Gina Leary, and continue the venue's entertainment programming. The Common Man family also plans to remain an active supporter, promoting events through its restaurants and helping maintain the theater's visibility.
While preserving what has made the Flying Monkey successful, Habitat also plans to expand local programming, TED talks-style gatherings and educational events. Facility upgrades will include a new digital video wall and lighting improvements.
Because Habitat for Humanity is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the theater will come off the municipal tax rolls and some residents have pointed out that the $987,000 property’s lost municipal revenue will have to be made up by other taxpayers. Mathison says that while the property will convert to nonprofit status, Habitat will make annual payments in lieu of taxes to Plymouth and continue increasing local tax bases through the homes
it builds.
“This venue is very much Alex's heart and soul, and we take that seriously,” she says. Beyond entertainment, proceeds generated by the theater will help fund Habitat's affordable housing efforts, which have produced more than 40 homes in the region since the 1980s. Mathison says that dual mission—bringing people together while helping local families achieve stable housing—could make the Flying Monkey's next act its most meaningful yet.
For more information about Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center, visit flyingmonkeynh.com. For more information about The Common Man, visit thecman.com. For more information about Pemi-Valley Habitat for Humanity, visit pemivalleyhabitat.org.
