I re-opened this theater in 2002, after it had been closed for two years. Many of the lights were out, there was garbage and dust everywhere … speakers had been stolen from behind one screen (the robbers cut the screen), and one of the projectors in another auditorium required expensive repairs. It took me several months, and a lot of elbow grease and LONG hours to get this monstrosity up and running. I opened on four screens, and later expanded to six. I was very proud of what I accomplished (see the pics)! The theatre neither made, nor lost money for me —– my rent was $8,000.00 per month (the owner wanted $16,500!!!), and I had about ten employees. I couldn’t see any reason to continue to work for free (the landlord wouldn’t reduce the rent) so after three months I walked away (Note: I had previously attempted to re-open the Kensington Cinemas, but couldn’t get a necessary permit). Had I opened the Kensington, I doubt this theater would have EVER been re-opened. Sadly, the operator who succeeded me put NO money into the place … his only knowledge of theater operation was what he gleaned from hanging around me … had 0 employees … overslept the door opening time on occasion .. yelled at customers … had underage boys working for him for free … etc., etc. I later went on to operate the State Theatre Twin in Jewett City. A patron base never developed there, and we were forced to close, leaving some employees, and bills unpaid (regrettably). The gentleman who took it over tried art films, but failed also. Since been gutted. The day of the discount cinema is LONG GONE!
I was one of the three partners who revived the shuttered, decaying Motor-In in 1996. Unfortunately, the town demanded a police detail. My two partners refused to pay after some of the on-duty officers were discovered sleeping on the property! Note: The state police offered to direct traffic for FREE, but the GREEDY Sutton cops wouldn’t allow it! The town then shut-down this beautiful, old (opened in 1947) theatre three short months after it was re-opened, and business was starting to boom. In 2000, I, along with one of the two other partners attempted to re-open the Drive-In again, but we were met with anger from the town council and the police chief, stemming from the 1996 debacle … this, along with a laundry list of EXPENSIVE, “necessary improvements,” caused us to regrettably withdraw our dream. The original owner’s son, Tom, has since passed away (nice guy, but very tough!). The land is currently owned by his two living partners — an attorney, and the G.M. of Polar Beverages. They are asking an obscene amount of money for the land!!! They’ll NEVER get it, as the property is in a desolate area, is among many other properties listed for sale, and just isn’t worth the money! Sad!
The Kensington Cinema opened as Carroll’s Cinema in 1971. It became the Kensington Cinema in approximately 1978 when the manager took control. I began employment there in approximately 1980 (I lived down the street – it was my favorite indoor theater). Due to declining attendance and a rejection of the owner’s liquor license application, the theater was sold (and closed) prior to Christmas in 1981 to the owners of the Manchester Twin (adult – former Jerry Lewis theater). The new owners wanted the theater up and running when they took over so they commissioned the (prior) owner to re-open for two weeks at Christmastime, at which time RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK did booming business. The theater again closed and re-opened in 1982 as Cine-Fox, a XXX venue, which folded in approximately 1986. I left in 1984 or thereabouts. I attempted to re-open the Kensington Cinema in approximately 2000, but was denied a parking permit (when the theater first opened, the fronting plaza was about half the size of today — there was tight available theater parking, and the theater could be viewed from Chamberlain Highway). The theater was a small one-screener with 333 original seats (I have the only one remaining, in my house), pared down to 313 seats (the front row was removed after 1978 [i think] so it could be used to replace broken seats) when it closed. It had a very tiny lobby and concession stand and a tiny manager’s office. After Cine-Fox closed, the building was used as an auction gallery for some years — hence the loading dock addition.
The “official” car-count of the Pike may have been 350, but it held more like 600+ cars (I think 650)! It was not a tiny Drive-In. Drive-In Dave Lounder (Pike employee approx. 1982-1985 — left in between to work at the Plainville Drive-In, then came back.) DaveLounder.com
I re-opened this theater in 2002, after it had been closed for two years. Many of the lights were out, there was garbage and dust everywhere … speakers had been stolen from behind one screen (the robbers cut the screen), and one of the projectors in another auditorium required expensive repairs. It took me several months, and a lot of elbow grease and LONG hours to get this monstrosity up and running. I opened on four screens, and later expanded to six. I was very proud of what I accomplished (see the pics)! The theatre neither made, nor lost money for me —– my rent was $8,000.00 per month (the owner wanted $16,500!!!), and I had about ten employees. I couldn’t see any reason to continue to work for free (the landlord wouldn’t reduce the rent) so after three months I walked away (Note: I had previously attempted to re-open the Kensington Cinemas, but couldn’t get a necessary permit). Had I opened the Kensington, I doubt this theater would have EVER been re-opened. Sadly, the operator who succeeded me put NO money into the place … his only knowledge of theater operation was what he gleaned from hanging around me … had 0 employees … overslept the door opening time on occasion .. yelled at customers … had underage boys working for him for free … etc., etc. I later went on to operate the State Theatre Twin in Jewett City. A patron base never developed there, and we were forced to close, leaving some employees, and bills unpaid (regrettably). The gentleman who took it over tried art films, but failed also. Since been gutted. The day of the discount cinema is LONG GONE!
I was one of the three partners who revived the shuttered, decaying Motor-In in 1996. Unfortunately, the town demanded a police detail. My two partners refused to pay after some of the on-duty officers were discovered sleeping on the property! Note: The state police offered to direct traffic for FREE, but the GREEDY Sutton cops wouldn’t allow it! The town then shut-down this beautiful, old (opened in 1947) theatre three short months after it was re-opened, and business was starting to boom. In 2000, I, along with one of the two other partners attempted to re-open the Drive-In again, but we were met with anger from the town council and the police chief, stemming from the 1996 debacle … this, along with a laundry list of EXPENSIVE, “necessary improvements,” caused us to regrettably withdraw our dream. The original owner’s son, Tom, has since passed away (nice guy, but very tough!). The land is currently owned by his two living partners — an attorney, and the G.M. of Polar Beverages. They are asking an obscene amount of money for the land!!! They’ll NEVER get it, as the property is in a desolate area, is among many other properties listed for sale, and just isn’t worth the money! Sad!
The Kensington Cinema opened as Carroll’s Cinema in 1971. It became the Kensington Cinema in approximately 1978 when the manager took control. I began employment there in approximately 1980 (I lived down the street – it was my favorite indoor theater). Due to declining attendance and a rejection of the owner’s liquor license application, the theater was sold (and closed) prior to Christmas in 1981 to the owners of the Manchester Twin (adult – former Jerry Lewis theater). The new owners wanted the theater up and running when they took over so they commissioned the (prior) owner to re-open for two weeks at Christmastime, at which time RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK did booming business. The theater again closed and re-opened in 1982 as Cine-Fox, a XXX venue, which folded in approximately 1986. I left in 1984 or thereabouts. I attempted to re-open the Kensington Cinema in approximately 2000, but was denied a parking permit (when the theater first opened, the fronting plaza was about half the size of today — there was tight available theater parking, and the theater could be viewed from Chamberlain Highway). The theater was a small one-screener with 333 original seats (I have the only one remaining, in my house), pared down to 313 seats (the front row was removed after 1978 [i think] so it could be used to replace broken seats) when it closed. It had a very tiny lobby and concession stand and a tiny manager’s office. After Cine-Fox closed, the building was used as an auction gallery for some years — hence the loading dock addition.
The Sky was featured in the 1985 movie “American Drive-In!”
Dave Lounder
DaveLounder.com
Shaws is a new building, as are the others. ALL of the Pike was demolished. The driveways are the same, though, — approximately. Drive-In Dave Lounder
The “official” car-count of the Pike may have been 350, but it held more like 600+ cars (I think 650)! It was not a tiny Drive-In. Drive-In Dave Lounder (Pike employee approx. 1982-1985 — left in between to work at the Plainville Drive-In, then came back.) DaveLounder.com