Movie theaters have been dark due to the COVID-19 crisis since March, but this weekend some of them are planning a comeback.
To open, theaters still have to comply with restrictions from the CDC, leading to changes in how they do business.
“We are going to test the waters this weekend,” according to Rebecca Inlow, director of the Rowland Theatre in Philipsburg.
She has scheduled the classic “Back to the Future” for viewing this Friday and Saturday night.
It is easier for them to open than it is for a multiplex, she explained, because they have one “big open room.”
In the Rowland’s 500-seat auditorium, it is easy to be socially distant and “we felt we could do this safely.”
They are only offering one showing each evening, which gives them time to clean everything before the next day.
The concession stand will still offer popcorn, drinks and candy by employees wearing masks.
“People should feel safe coming here,” Inlow said.
Closing in March affected their spring blockbusters season and left the theater without any type of revenue.
During this time, they were able to make improvements to their restrooms and are currently working on tearing out the seats in the lower balcony.
“The wheels were already in motion” for the seat replacement, so they have moved forward with the project,” Inlow said.
The studios aren’t offering any new releases yet, but she is hoping a classic family film will bring people back to the Rowland.
If people respond, Inlow said they will continue to offer older movies.
“The studios have made a lot of older titles available,” she said, adding that she picked “Back to the Future” because it appeals to everyone.
“I am excited because I am a fan of classic movies on the big screen.”
Although many people have seen this movie, she pointed out that they “might never have seen it on the big screen.”
Several new movies are tentatively scheduled for release in July including the live action version of “Mulan,” which should help the Rowland to get back on track.
In DuBois, the Golden Ticket Cinemas DuBois 5 is also reopening on Friday. Their featured movies are “Doolittle”, “Trolls World Tour,” “The Wretched,” “Mighty Oak,” along with old favorites “Grease” and “Back to the Future” both I and II.
They are limiting the capacity of their theaters to 50 percent, as is recommended by CDC guidelines.
If you reserve your seat, two seats are automatically reserved on each side of you, according to the theater’s Facebook page.
Movie times will be staggered “for staff to have extra time to clean and sanitize the seating.” They also will have “sanitizing stations” throughout the theater.
All employees will be wearing masks and gloves and high contact areas will be repeatedly sanitized.
“No one handling cash and credit cards will be allowed to handle food from the concession stand,” they said.
If you purchase tickets through their Web site, www.gtcinemas.com, you can add snacks and drinks to minimize transactions at the theater.
“We are extremely excited to get back to entertaining the people of DuBois,” their post says.
Things were a bit simpler for the Super 322 Drive-In, which opened May 15 but changes needed to be made for their snack bar. They posted these limitations on their Facebook page:
“We can let patrons enter the snack bar from the side of the building where the restroom doors are and form a single line six feet distancing and go out the opposite door on the side facing the highway.
“You will have to stand six feet apart both in the building and outside in line. Those waiting on a special order, please wait outside to let others in and the staff will bring your food item to the other door on that side of the building where you exit. We want to operate the snack bar safely for everyone.”
This weekend the Super 322’s features are “The Invisible Man” and “The Hunt.”