One other thing to note: I found the Vindicator story that Wolfgirl posted and in the comments section below the article, people complained about how unsafe the Market St. area has become. What’s funny about this is that, if you go to any of the big multiplexes on a Friday or Saturday night, there is always a heavy security and police presence to handle disturbances. I have witnessed many fights at multiplexes – in the theater, the lobby and out in the parking lot. Just because the multiplexes are located in the suburbs doesn’t make the movie going experience any safer.
I really hope the new owners of the Uptown Theater can bring it back to life. I went there a few times in the 80s, when I was in high school. It was a little rough but I didn’t mind…I wasn’t fond of the shiny, new CinemaSouth multiplex and once Newport Theater closed, the Uptown was the only “old school” theater left.
I know it’s probably naive to believe that an old, single screen theater can become successful in today’s market. But I believe that if the owners can offer a high quality experience that appeals to a niche audience, the Uptown can be successful. Going to the multiplex to see a movie is awful: long lines, big crowds, crying babies, unruly teens, people texting, etc. And we pay over $10 per ticket for that awful experience! If the Uptown can offer something different and better than that, people will come.
Having said that…I wonder what condition the theater is in? It’s been abandoned for close to 20 years. I imagine they’ll need to do a complete overhaul of the facility and that could be costly.
One other thing to note: I found the Vindicator story that Wolfgirl posted and in the comments section below the article, people complained about how unsafe the Market St. area has become. What’s funny about this is that, if you go to any of the big multiplexes on a Friday or Saturday night, there is always a heavy security and police presence to handle disturbances. I have witnessed many fights at multiplexes – in the theater, the lobby and out in the parking lot. Just because the multiplexes are located in the suburbs doesn’t make the movie going experience any safer.
I really hope the new owners of the Uptown Theater can bring it back to life. I went there a few times in the 80s, when I was in high school. It was a little rough but I didn’t mind…I wasn’t fond of the shiny, new CinemaSouth multiplex and once Newport Theater closed, the Uptown was the only “old school” theater left.
I know it’s probably naive to believe that an old, single screen theater can become successful in today’s market. But I believe that if the owners can offer a high quality experience that appeals to a niche audience, the Uptown can be successful. Going to the multiplex to see a movie is awful: long lines, big crowds, crying babies, unruly teens, people texting, etc. And we pay over $10 per ticket for that awful experience! If the Uptown can offer something different and better than that, people will come.
Having said that…I wonder what condition the theater is in? It’s been abandoned for close to 20 years. I imagine they’ll need to do a complete overhaul of the facility and that could be costly.