The Harbor was one of my favorite classic theaters and when recently visiting Florence again, I was appaled to find it turned into the cheap shoe store! I would love to see it come back again someday. It’s a real shame. There is a new (and boring) multiplex in the new town section- I wonder if it was built by the same owners that owned the Harbor, or if it just ran the Harbor out of business?
Please post more details about the projectors. Mainly make, model, serial number, and condition. There will be a few people here that may be very interested in them. If you could get pictures and provide a link to them somehow, that would help tremendously as well.
Boy, you should really do a market analysis. It’s hard enough to make a theater remodel profitable in a large city, I can’t even imagine it in Kenedy (it’s cheaper to build new). Of all the great theaters available for sale, may I ask why you chose this one to tackle?
Of course the people of Kenedy would support the idea- it’s not their money! :) Just be aware that you will get a lot of support and people telling you they are happy about it, but whether they actually purchase tickets is a whole different story.
I was interested in this theater simply for what was left inside, and contacted the seller numerous times. For the vintage cinema memorabilia collector such as myself, there are still three large projectors inside, probably Simplex’s, and an old horn behind the screen. If they are in even decent shape, a person could possibly make a profit by selling them and demolish the building. If someone lived near San Antonio, there are some nice building materials to be had too (hardwood floors, inlay designs, old brick, etc.). You have to understand that Kenedy is a ghost town, and this building is being held together with dust. And yes, this is the 3rd time it has been listed on eBay. The seller knows close to nothing about this theater.
The Rialto was put back up for sale on eBay two weeks later as the result of a non-paying bidder. It’s starting bid was $5000 but didn’t sell. I contacted the seller to inquire about the status and he was looking to just get rid of it- the first $3000 check he received got it. The previous owners had gutted it, but there are 3 old “black, heavy” projectors of unknown type lying on their sides (possibly Simplexes), a ripped screen, a red velvet curtain in need of repair, the marquis, and some nice wood inlay designs. That’s about it. The rest is basically salvage materials such as wood floorings and brick, possibly worth the $3k itself if someone had the time. I don’t believe there is any chance of restoration, and the town of Kenedy is not exactly booming.
With the balcony still present, it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to change the main floor seating to stadium or sloped seating. It appears the back ½ of the patrons would experience less than ideal lines of sight.
$7k/mo is a joke… there is obviously a reason he doesn’t want to sell/lease. What a huge shame- this is a gorgeous theater, an exhibitor’s dream.
Interestingly enough, I am in the process of designing a new theater owned not by a large theater chain, but by me, an entrepreneur. I have stayed up many nights trying to design the “perfect theater” for the future movie-goer experience. I have come to the conclusion that every person has their own ideal sense of what “perfect” defines. Some like previews, some hate them, some don’t mind either way. Some like red carpets, some prefer shiny steel tiles, some like it as wild as possible. These are only a few examples of the challenge we theater owners face. I believe it is clear, however, that the theater needs to be run as an establishment providing a service, not just a building with a screen and some speakers. In order for people to continue coming to theaters, they need to have an experience they can’t get at home.
What does this include? Pay-per-seat customization, for one. Pay $10 for the very center two seats or $5 for a seat on the perimeter- it’s up to your budget. Have a conceirge show you to your seat, as in a live theater. Keep the price of the concessions DOWN. Now there’s a new concept. Have a Starbucks on site so you can order a hot latte' to take in with you. Offer something other than just popcorn, hot dogs, and soft drinks. Have large reclining seats that have enough room in front to stretch out and not kick the person in front of you. Have a theater employee sit through each showing to “shush” those making too much noise or escort them out. And have a no-ad policy and stick to it- people generally hate commercials, today more than ever. In other words, find out what people dislike about theaters and solve those issues. A profit can still be made, trust me.
And what about the theater itself? How about a large log lodge style with huge windows and river rock waterfalls cascading down the walls? This would be true nature-vs-technology, a unique and intriguing combination. Or how about having a theater underground? Or by a lake? Or in a circle? One theater nearby here (Seattle) has a full-size airplane hanging from the ceiling. The options are endless, yet huge boring rectangle megaplexes keep going up. It’s a shame, really. We as Americans are much more imaginative than that… aren’t we? Prove it.
In other words, theater owners need to think out of the box and offer patrons something new, something exciting, and something they enjoy going to. How many times have you seen the theater manager? How about having him/her greet you at the door? It’s all about the human experience and the enjoyment of the movie-making art.
The Harbor was one of my favorite classic theaters and when recently visiting Florence again, I was appaled to find it turned into the cheap shoe store! I would love to see it come back again someday. It’s a real shame. There is a new (and boring) multiplex in the new town section- I wonder if it was built by the same owners that owned the Harbor, or if it just ran the Harbor out of business?
Please post more details about the projectors. Mainly make, model, serial number, and condition. There will be a few people here that may be very interested in them. If you could get pictures and provide a link to them somehow, that would help tremendously as well.
Boy, you should really do a market analysis. It’s hard enough to make a theater remodel profitable in a large city, I can’t even imagine it in Kenedy (it’s cheaper to build new). Of all the great theaters available for sale, may I ask why you chose this one to tackle?
Of course the people of Kenedy would support the idea- it’s not their money! :) Just be aware that you will get a lot of support and people telling you they are happy about it, but whether they actually purchase tickets is a whole different story.
I was interested in this theater simply for what was left inside, and contacted the seller numerous times. For the vintage cinema memorabilia collector such as myself, there are still three large projectors inside, probably Simplex’s, and an old horn behind the screen. If they are in even decent shape, a person could possibly make a profit by selling them and demolish the building. If someone lived near San Antonio, there are some nice building materials to be had too (hardwood floors, inlay designs, old brick, etc.). You have to understand that Kenedy is a ghost town, and this building is being held together with dust. And yes, this is the 3rd time it has been listed on eBay. The seller knows close to nothing about this theater.
The Rialto was put back up for sale on eBay two weeks later as the result of a non-paying bidder. It’s starting bid was $5000 but didn’t sell. I contacted the seller to inquire about the status and he was looking to just get rid of it- the first $3000 check he received got it. The previous owners had gutted it, but there are 3 old “black, heavy” projectors of unknown type lying on their sides (possibly Simplexes), a ripped screen, a red velvet curtain in need of repair, the marquis, and some nice wood inlay designs. That’s about it. The rest is basically salvage materials such as wood floorings and brick, possibly worth the $3k itself if someone had the time. I don’t believe there is any chance of restoration, and the town of Kenedy is not exactly booming.
Ken, what did Neumann do to the Liberty?
With the balcony still present, it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to change the main floor seating to stadium or sloped seating. It appears the back ½ of the patrons would experience less than ideal lines of sight.
$7k/mo is a joke… there is obviously a reason he doesn’t want to sell/lease. What a huge shame- this is a gorgeous theater, an exhibitor’s dream.
Interestingly enough, I am in the process of designing a new theater owned not by a large theater chain, but by me, an entrepreneur. I have stayed up many nights trying to design the “perfect theater” for the future movie-goer experience. I have come to the conclusion that every person has their own ideal sense of what “perfect” defines. Some like previews, some hate them, some don’t mind either way. Some like red carpets, some prefer shiny steel tiles, some like it as wild as possible. These are only a few examples of the challenge we theater owners face. I believe it is clear, however, that the theater needs to be run as an establishment providing a service, not just a building with a screen and some speakers. In order for people to continue coming to theaters, they need to have an experience they can’t get at home.
What does this include? Pay-per-seat customization, for one. Pay $10 for the very center two seats or $5 for a seat on the perimeter- it’s up to your budget. Have a conceirge show you to your seat, as in a live theater. Keep the price of the concessions DOWN. Now there’s a new concept. Have a Starbucks on site so you can order a hot latte' to take in with you. Offer something other than just popcorn, hot dogs, and soft drinks. Have large reclining seats that have enough room in front to stretch out and not kick the person in front of you. Have a theater employee sit through each showing to “shush” those making too much noise or escort them out. And have a no-ad policy and stick to it- people generally hate commercials, today more than ever. In other words, find out what people dislike about theaters and solve those issues. A profit can still be made, trust me.
And what about the theater itself? How about a large log lodge style with huge windows and river rock waterfalls cascading down the walls? This would be true nature-vs-technology, a unique and intriguing combination. Or how about having a theater underground? Or by a lake? Or in a circle? One theater nearby here (Seattle) has a full-size airplane hanging from the ceiling. The options are endless, yet huge boring rectangle megaplexes keep going up. It’s a shame, really. We as Americans are much more imaginative than that… aren’t we? Prove it.
In other words, theater owners need to think out of the box and offer patrons something new, something exciting, and something they enjoy going to. How many times have you seen the theater manager? How about having him/her greet you at the door? It’s all about the human experience and the enjoyment of the movie-making art.