Antlers, OK - Couple reopens Antlers movie theater

posted by ThrHistoricalSociety on June 16, 2017 at 6:15 am

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From KXII.com: Antlers residents have had to travel out of town if they wanted to see the next blockbuster movie.
For the first time in eight years, that all will change for residents tonight at the new look Cinema One thanks to local residents Mary and Jason Maroney.

“Well, it’s been a long going process for the past few years,” co-owner Jason Maroney said. “Everybody has looked at this building and we just kind of wanted to bring some light back to the community for the kids, give them something to do.

The Maroneys took over the building on April 21st where they have spent the past eight weeks remodeling the building including a new concession stand, improved equipment, and improved seating.

From the beginning of the process, the Maroneys have felt the support of the whole community.

“The community has just supported us the whole way through and we get people that drive by all the time that honk and wave and they’re like, ‘We can’t wait till its open.’ So we’re just really blessed,” co-owner Mary Maroney said.

Community members have even stopped by to help with improvements to the building.

The Maroneys feel excitement of seeing over 220 residents that will fill the theater’s seats Friday night.

“I’m excited,” Mary Maroney said. “I’m excited for the community to get this going again.”

“Well one of the community members, he said, ‘It’s not just for the kids, it’s for us adults. We want something to do,’” Jason Maroney said.

For the Maroneys, this movie theater is more than just a place to showcase Hollywood’s biggest flicks, it’s a place where the Maroneys hope that a little cinema magic will create some new memories.

“It’s not our building, it’s a community building,” Mary Maroney said. “We’re here for the community so that the community has a place to hang out, a place to have fun, go bring their kids, make memories like memories were before.”

The theater is the first of four phases by the Maroneys in the building as they plan to include a bakery, game room, and a community outreach room.

The first showing at the theater will be at five tonight.

The movie they’ll show is Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two.

Next week, they will show Wonder Woman.

Story link with video: http://www.kxii.com/content/news/Couple-reopens-Antlers-movie-theater-428842003.html

ABOUT THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA: Founded by Ben Hall in 1969, the Theatre Historical Society of America (THS) celebrates, documents and promotes the architectural, cultural and social relevance of America’s historic theatres. Through its preservation of the collections in the American Theatre Architecture Archive, its signature publication Marquee™ and Conclave Theatre Tour, THS increases awareness, appreciation and scholarly study of America’s theatres.

Learn more about historic theatres in the THS American Theatre Architecture Archives and on our website at historictheatres.org

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Comments (1)

Greenpoint
Greenpoint on June 26, 2017 at 8:06 pm

To the Maroney family: Thank you for your perseverance in keeping this celluloid love story going. I will make a pilgrimage to your neck of the woods, as soon as I get my act together with a license and vehicle..42 years and still unlicensed. :(

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