John- You should come spend an afternoon with our family.. we’re the epitome of bizarre. ;) Keokuk is a fantastic community and has been great to us! Looking forward to many years in Iowa! Go Hawks!
The Eisentraut family of Hillsboro has leased the theatre from the city of Gillespie and it is once again showing movies on the big screen under the name “Canna”. Upgrades to the theatre include leather couch seating, a new sound system, new carpet, tuxedo dressed staff that make personal introductions to every feature. The theatre recently had it’s first sold-out show under new ownership with Alvin and the Chipmunks.
Vokoban-
“poor, wretched creature”…..You just proved jnjeisen’s point in an earlier post by calling him a name. Way to go, I’m noticing this as a trend. It seems like people on the “right” will give their opinion and do it in a polite and professional manner, but those that aren’t so “right” almost ALWAYS eventually resort to name calling.
I must agree that the issue at hand is a combination of a lack in “showmanship” as well as high pricing. When I say “high” pricing what I mean is that folks do not want to go pay $8.00 a ticket to a theatre where they receive poor service, a sub-quality film presentation including previews for NBC’s “fall lineup”, and have to deal with cell phones ringing, a staff that doesn’t care, etc. However, I personally have no problem at all paying for an $11.00 ticket to the Arclight Hollywood (as my dad mentioned in an earlier post) where the presentation and service is OUTSTANDING! And I believe that anyone who attends that theatre will think the same. I did take to heart what I learned from the Arclight and now before each presentation at my theatre, I walk to the front, dressed in tuxedo, and make an announcement to the audience. The first thing I say is a “Thank You” for choosing to attend my theatre followed by asking folks to take out their cell phones and turn the ringer to “Vibrate” or “Off”, followed by an invitation to visit our website, www.bestmoviedeal.com, and post comments on our brand new message forum…things like what they thought of the film, what they would like see come, what they thought of the presentation, etc. And everytime I finish my announcement with “And now folks, please enjoy the movie” I get an applause. Why? Because it’s something they don’t see in any other movie theatre around, and, they appreciate the personal touch. Patrons of my theatre know that I care and am giving my best everynight to give them an experience unlike any other. In fact, most folks don’t even care if the movie was that great or not, they just had a wonderful night at The Orpheum, sitting in leather couches, enjoy professional presentation of a film, and not having to listen to cell phones going off. And what’s the result? a 10% increase in business from last year while just about every other theatre in the country is wondering if they’re going to survive! Folks, it can be done. It’s all about class, showmanship, and making your theatre different from the stereotypical “multi-megaplex” that a lot of people are turned off by. But even the Megaplexes can do it. Theatre owners, get creative. Do go to the Arclight and see what they’re doing. Become even more involved with your customers and give them an “experience”, not just another night at the movies. And what will happen is when those “B” movies come along, you’ll have people filling up your theatre because they could care less about the movie, they just LOVE the theatre.
John- You should come spend an afternoon with our family.. we’re the epitome of bizarre. ;) Keokuk is a fantastic community and has been great to us! Looking forward to many years in Iowa! Go Hawks!
Cary Eisentraut
The Eisentraut family of Hillsboro has leased the theatre from the city of Gillespie and it is once again showing movies on the big screen under the name “Canna”. Upgrades to the theatre include leather couch seating, a new sound system, new carpet, tuxedo dressed staff that make personal introductions to every feature. The theatre recently had it’s first sold-out show under new ownership with Alvin and the Chipmunks.
Keep talkin boys…you argue in support of my positions better than I do.
Vokoban-
“poor, wretched creature”…..You just proved jnjeisen’s point in an earlier post by calling him a name. Way to go, I’m noticing this as a trend. It seems like people on the “right” will give their opinion and do it in a polite and professional manner, but those that aren’t so “right” almost ALWAYS eventually resort to name calling.
I must agree that the issue at hand is a combination of a lack in “showmanship” as well as high pricing. When I say “high” pricing what I mean is that folks do not want to go pay $8.00 a ticket to a theatre where they receive poor service, a sub-quality film presentation including previews for NBC’s “fall lineup”, and have to deal with cell phones ringing, a staff that doesn’t care, etc. However, I personally have no problem at all paying for an $11.00 ticket to the Arclight Hollywood (as my dad mentioned in an earlier post) where the presentation and service is OUTSTANDING! And I believe that anyone who attends that theatre will think the same. I did take to heart what I learned from the Arclight and now before each presentation at my theatre, I walk to the front, dressed in tuxedo, and make an announcement to the audience. The first thing I say is a “Thank You” for choosing to attend my theatre followed by asking folks to take out their cell phones and turn the ringer to “Vibrate” or “Off”, followed by an invitation to visit our website, www.bestmoviedeal.com, and post comments on our brand new message forum…things like what they thought of the film, what they would like see come, what they thought of the presentation, etc. And everytime I finish my announcement with “And now folks, please enjoy the movie” I get an applause. Why? Because it’s something they don’t see in any other movie theatre around, and, they appreciate the personal touch. Patrons of my theatre know that I care and am giving my best everynight to give them an experience unlike any other. In fact, most folks don’t even care if the movie was that great or not, they just had a wonderful night at The Orpheum, sitting in leather couches, enjoy professional presentation of a film, and not having to listen to cell phones going off. And what’s the result? a 10% increase in business from last year while just about every other theatre in the country is wondering if they’re going to survive! Folks, it can be done. It’s all about class, showmanship, and making your theatre different from the stereotypical “multi-megaplex” that a lot of people are turned off by. But even the Megaplexes can do it. Theatre owners, get creative. Do go to the Arclight and see what they’re doing. Become even more involved with your customers and give them an “experience”, not just another night at the movies. And what will happen is when those “B” movies come along, you’ll have people filling up your theatre because they could care less about the movie, they just LOVE the theatre.