East Aurora Advertiser

Local Push Made for Opening of Theatres in New York



As additional businesses are given approval to open in New York State, movie theater owners are asking when it will be their turn. 

A news conference was held last week in front of the Aurora Theatre, with local and state officials alongside industry representatives stating they felt it was time for movie theaters to be given the OK to welcome the public back indoors. 

Lynn Kinsella, owner of the Aurora Theatre, said the screen has been dark since March 16 and there is no certainty when she and others in the state will be given approval to reopen. She has been able to get along with revenue from some popular premieres last year and the Popcorn Shop inside the building, but it has been a struggle. She added that recent fundraisers from private events like a Pilates fundraiser have also been an important part of supporting the business.

“This community is getting us through this, and I can’t thank them enough,” Kinsella said.

The Aurora Theatre marquee shares a message felt by its owners and others in the movie theater industry. Photo by Adam Zaremski

Joe Masher, chief operating officer of Bow Tie Cinemas and president of the National Association of Theater Owners of New York State, said there are about 41 other states that have allowed movie theaters to reopen, but it was important that both New York and California join in those numbers. He said they are the largest markets for movie producers. If the top markets are not open, then the movie makers will not be as willing to put out new movies for the public. 

Since the pandemic started, movie studios have delayed most movie releases. Several studios are looking at the start of September for new releases, but Masher said there is not much on the schedule going forward. 

He and others at the news conference said they felt they had good plans in place that would keep staff and patrons safe from the Covid-19 disease. 

“Without question, we can open safely,” Kinsella said.

Aurora Theatre owner Lynn Kinsella describes a plan to reopen the theater that would meet health guidelines. This includes updating the airflow of the theater to have a special filter, reducing capacity to 50 percent, staggering show times to allow time to clean the seats and requiring masks for everyone in the building. Photo by Adam Zaremski

Masher added that it was necessary for the public to believe efforts have taken place – like setting up assigned seating, new air filters, and limited capacity – or else they would not return. 

“Without a safe, sound plan, nobody would come to the movies. We’ve done that,” Masher said. “We certainly want to make sure everyone has a safe movie-going experience.”

In an interview last week with WAMC radio, Governor Andrew Cuomo was asked about the reopening of movie theaters. He said the reopening would be on the way, but there were concerns with ventilation in a theater. People will be sitting together for several hours, breathing in the same air, and it was important that safety procedures were in place. 

In an interview with The A.V. Club, two epidemiologists – Dr. Anne W. Rimoin and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed – were asked about going to a movie theater at this time. The Aug. 18 online article quoted them as saying that “it is just about the last thing I would do right now,” noting that the recirculation of air in a room is the main danger for spreading Covid-19. They also said people might be required to wear a mask in a theater, but it would have to be policed by theater staff, and if food is sold then people would be taking their mask off during the film to eat and drink. 

At the news conference, Masher said people might sit inside at a restaurant for a longer period of time than they might in a movie, and there are more people moving around in a smaller space at restaurants. Those have been open for several months now. 

Scott Treutlein is the owner of the Spotlight Theater in Warsaw, and he owns another theater in Cornell. 

“My actual training is as a physician in Warsaw and Batavia,” he said. “I’ve been through this whole Covid thing from day one in hospitals. I’m well aware of everything we have learned the last few months. I wouldn’t be standing here today trying to get these theaters open if I didn’t think it was truly safe for our patrons and staff.” 

The business side of reopening was also discussed. Movie chains and independent theaters like the Aurora and the Spotlight have had no income for months. Treutlein noted that his Warsaw theater has been part of the community in some fashion for at least 100 years – he and his wife renovated it in the last few years – and he sees it as an “anchor for the community,” a place that gets people out into the area, where they can visit and shop at different businesses or restaurants.

“To me, it’s extremely important to keep this going,” he said.

Kinsella said the impact goes beyond just her, but also to her staff, the vendors as well as the neighboring businesses. The Aurora has been open for 95 years and she would like it to continue for another 95, but if it stays closed much longer she is not sure what will happen. 

She was asked if she was considering plans to open before the state gives formal approval, she said she has been allowed to do private rentals at this time and that would help. But if the regular public is not allowed in much longer and movie studios begin to put out major releases, she would consider an early reopening. 

“If this continues on much further…if it seems unrealistic and there is an opportunity for us to be showing first-run films again and we are at that point where we feel we have no other choice, we will. And to make a stand, not just for us, but for all the other people in the theaters,” she said.

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