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 “What most people don’t realize
is how much it costs just to strike the bulb on
the projector, and as much as we hate to reduce
availability, we also need to do what’s best to
help protect the theater financially,” said
Arlee manager Marcia Maxson Schwartz. “So,
starting in October movies will play at 7 p.m.
on Friday, Saturday, and Monday, and at 2 p.m.
only on Sunday.”
Even before the governor shut down businesses in
March, Arlee management decided to temporarily
close due to safety concerns. The theater
offered curbside concessions on Friday nights
until reopening in July.
“We are following guidelines to make visits safe
here, and with an auditorium that was built to
seat 500, it is very easy to socially distance
people,” said Gaye Maxson of the Arlee.
“Attendance has been running at 20 or fewer
people per show.”
“Before we reopened, we were
concerned that we would have to turn people away
when we exceeded 50 patrons, but that has yet to
occur,” Maxson said.
[to top of second column]
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She attributes the low numbers to apprehension of some customers as well as the
quality of movies currently available. Few studios are releasing new films so
theaters can book either obscure independent films, newer releases already
streaming into homes or older classics that people already have seen.
When attendance rebounds, the Sunday evening show will be reinstated.
“We have some very loyal families that frequently come on Sunday nights,” Maxson
said. “We are sorry we cannot accommodate them right now, but hope to before
long.”
[Gaye Maxson] |
