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Newark gets cash to save ailing movie theater
posted by
danpetitpas
on
September 22, 2008 at 7:57 am
NEWARK, NJ — In an unusual move, the city of Newark, NJ is pledging $650,000 to keep its only downtown movie complex open. Apparently, the six-screen Newark Screens serves a mostly minority audience and is located near several housing projects.
The money will be used to offset losses until a new owner or a new use is found. The theatre closed earlier this month after failing to pay its 30 employees.
Comments (2)
One slight correction. The theatre only failed to make its last payroll. It would have closed without the cash, but it did not close as stated above. Also, this theatre may be on its last legs anyway, because the city of Newark might try to get the land redevloped again. I wish someone could do something to save the Adams and Paramount theatres in downtown, both of which have been closed for at least 15 years.
The sale of Bootleg videos is killing the movie theaters, especially in poorer neighborhoods. People think — why spend so much money for a night out at the movies when you can get the same move for $5. at the barber shop or beauty parlor or at your place of work…sellers even come into fast food restaurants with their canvas bags of bootleg dvds.
Even Tyler Perry is urging folks to come out to his movies on opening weekend, because he knows that on Monday morning “June Bug” will be selling the bootleg.
I won’t buy bootlegs because it is stealing — from the movie theaters, from the studios, but especially from the writers and producers and actors who all worked on the project but don’t see a dime from these underground sales.