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Renovations
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June 29, 2011
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Examines the Plight of the Area’s Independent Theaters
PITTSBURGH, PA — “The old-fashioned, single-screen neighborhood movie house seems to be undergoing a slow, but noticeable comeback” the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. After decades of single screen cinemas closing in the city and in outlying areas, the newspaper reports on the rising fortunes of the Hollywood Theater, the Denis Theatre, The Oaks Theater, as well as the Strand Theater in Zelienople.
(Thanks to macwagen for the photo of the Hollywood Theater.)
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June 16, 2011
Sterling Theater renovations helped by screening
PATASKALA, OH — A local group, Pataskala Town Hall Inc., had a screening over the weekend to raise funds for renovating the long dormant, Sterling Theater. They’ll be using profits from a summer film series and children’s fair before screenings to redo the bathrooms and A/C system. Donations have already helped them make great progress.
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May 4, 2011
$2.9 million in renovations bring the Wildey Theatre back to life
EDWARDSVILLE, IL — Originally opened as an opera house in 1909 and closed in 1984 by Plitt Theaters, the Wildey is now sparkling again on Edwardsville’s Main Street after many years of civic restorative effort and an expenditure of nearly three million dollars. The Wildey will now be a mixed-use performing arts facility, including occasional film showings on a newly installed screen.
“In the mid-1980s, it went dark and it left a void in a large part of downtown,” he said. The last movie to be shown was “The Big Chill,” circa 1983.
Once the mayor was given a round of applause, Walker came to the stage and said, “Hear that sound. It’s applause. It has not been heard here for 25 years and it’s great.”
There is more in the Daily Journal.
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April 26, 2011
Owner of historic Pickwick Theatre plans $1.5 million renovation
PARK RIDGE, IL — Once some changes are made to the local preservation ordinance and the theater’s historical status is recognized by the Illinois Historical Preservation Agency, Dino Vlahakis, owner of the eighty-two-year-old art deco Pickwick Theatre, hopes to embark on an extensive renovation plan that will include installation of digital projection and restoration of of the theater’s original fire curtain.
The renovations will cost roughly $1.5 million, Vlahakis said. The larger seats will result in the loss of seating in the Pickwick’s main theater and in the smaller rear theaters, but Vlahakis said many moviegoers have complained about the quality of the current seats. The seats in the main theater were installed in the 1960s, he said.
The digital projection will make films appear sharper on screen and will eliminate problems like lines and wear marks that are common with 35 mm film, Vlahakis said.
There is more in the Herald-Advocate.
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April 20, 2011
Dayton, OH Non-profit Seeks New Home
The Dayton Ohio based Nouveau Cinema Group, Inc. (NCGI) a 501 c 3, non-profit corporation is seeking a new home base/theatre venue following the demolition of the Page Cinema Arts Theatre.
NCGI was originally formed in 2009 by local business people and theatre experts to re-open and renovate the former cinema to become a community-oriented rep. and classic film cinema, film society and live performance space. NCGI is actively looking for a new location with the same end in mind. Ideally, the new theatre/home base will be in or near Montgomery County,Ohio.
Anyone interested in this project or a possible partnership, has a suitable location, or wants more information about NCGI should contact Linda Leas, Executive Director, Nouveau Cinema Group, Inc. PO Box 10435, Dayton, OH 45402, 937 253-9448. or .
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March 30, 2011
Mulkey Theatre may be reborn
CLARENDON, TX — Recently named to the list of the Ten Most Endangered sites in Texas, the 1940’s era Mulkey Theatre is being embraced by local supporters interested in raising funds for its gradual restoration and reopening as a movie theater. Roof repairs have been completed, but more structural repair is needed, and the current goal is to repair and relight the marquee.
The Mulkey, once a cinematic gathering place for rural Donley County, has fallen into disrepair, but not yet rubble. The peach, salmon and navy blue tiles that decorate the exterior are still there. So are the hooks that once held the neon lights in place, dangling from the street overhang. A sign in the ticket booth advertises 9-cent admission for children.
For now, refurbishing and repairing the Mulkey is a one-step-at-a-time process, but one of its backers is optimistic about completing the project, especially since the theater has been named to Texas' Most Endangered list by Preservation Texas, a private advocacy group that encourages support and funding for historic places, archives and artifacts.
There is more in the Amarillo Globe-News.
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March 23, 2011
Muvico Hialeah remodel
HIALEAH, FL — Muvico remodeled the Hialeah 12. They removed two auditoriums (now 12 screens) to make a giant arcade (called Glitch) with over a 100 games and bowling, added stadium seating, all digital (Sony 4K), expanded concessions menu, beer and wine, new carpets, and new seats.
Read more in the Press Release.
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March 15, 2011
Efforts launched to reopen the former State Theatre in Stoughton
STOUGHTON, MA — A concert on March 26 will be the initial event to raise funds to restore and reopen the 1927 State Theatre here, most recently known as the Stoughton Cinema Pub. The theater closed in 2007, and the current owner apparently indicated a desire to tear it down for a parking lot. It is estimated that at least a quarter of a million dollars will be needed to restore the theater to a usable condition.
Most recently known as the Stoughton Cinema Pub, the theater closed in December 2007, just six days shy of its 80th birthday.
“Once that closed, the rest of the remaining downtown started dying with it,” Mutascio said, adding that reopening the theater could help revitalize the downtown.
The full article about the restoration effort, including a vintage photo, appeared at Boston.com.
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March 14, 2011
Carmike Main Street 6
CARROLLWOOD, FL — The Main Street 6 is being remodeled. All theaters will have digital and reserved leather seats.
Main Street Cinemas, which is owned and operated by the same group as Channelside Cinemas 10, recently signed a lease with the shopping center’s property owner, RMC Property Management Group.
The building on N Dale Mabry, north of Hudson Lane, will span 20,500 square feet and show the latest films. In keeping with CineBistro theaters in Wesley Chapel and Hyde Park, moviegoers will be able to order from a restaurant-style menu and be served inside the theater.
Read more in the St. Petersburg Times.
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March 3, 2011
Former Hyde Park area theater to reopen in 2012 in Chicago
CHICAGO, IL — The former Harper Theater which last operated as as a quad called the Hyde Park Theaters will be renovated and reopened as five-plex according to a press release issued by the University of Chicago which owns the property and the surrounding retail space. The theater opened in 1915 and has been operated by several theater chains but has been closed for several years. The university has reached an agreement with the owner of the New 400 Theaters in Chicago’s Rogers Park to manage the revamped theater.
“We believe students, faculty, staff and our neighbors will be very excited about having a new movie theater within walking distance,” said Kimberly Goff—-Crews, Vice President for Campus Life. “As we talk to members of our community about how to enhance campus life, this is one of the ideas that comes up frequently.”
The agreement with The New 400 Theaters is part of a broader effort to revitalize the 53rd Street corridor as a focus of commercial, retail and entertainment activity.
The full release can be read here.