The Sottile American Dream

My great-grandfather, Albert Sottile, arrived at Ellis Island from Gangi, Sicily, in 1889. Four of his brothers soon joined him. They could barely speak English and had very limited finances, but through hard work and determination these brothers lived the American Dream to its fullest. They prospered  by starting a lucrative liquor market.   Albert Sotille  founded the Pastime Amusement Company and built several theaters in Charleston, South Carolina. The Gloria Theatre opened in 1927 with the silent film After Midnight. In 1940, it hosted a massive hometown event featuring Gone with the Wind. After closing in 1975, the theater was restored by the College of Charleston and reopened in 1990 as the Sottile Theatre.  Today, the 785-seat theater hosts concerts, student showcases, plays, and events for Spoleto Festival USA—a lasting legacy of Albert’s vision and the American Dream.  It is worth the visit at 44 George St., Charleston, CS 29401.