Coming Soon? – Movie Theatre ‘Looking to Reopen in May’

March 25, 2021

WARREN, Pa. – Film buffs looking to catch the latest blockbuster hit on the big screen may not have to wait much longer.

Dipson Theatres, the Buffalo-based chain that owns Warren Mall Cinemas, is hoping to be able to reopen sometime in May. The theatre has been closed for months due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“We’re looking to open sometime in May,” a Dipson representative told yourdailylocal.com.

In order to reopen, two things need to happen. First, states have to ease COVID-related occupancy restrictions. Second, film companies need to begin widespread product distribution.

Since initial lockdowns began last year, major film companies have been turning to streaming platforms to release new movies. For example, Disney has released titles such as “Mulan” and “Raya and the Last Dragon” directly to its Disney+ platform with its “Premier Access” option.

While Pennsylvania’s occupancy restrictions for movie theatres will increase to 75 percent on April 4, film studios appear to be waiting for a similar ease in major markets like New York and Los Angeles before resuming widespread distribution.

The representative said Dipson had recently received notice that a number of film releases originally scheduled for spring and early summer had been “pushed back two to four months.”

Lakewood Cinema 8, which is also owned by Dipson (as is Chautauqua Mall Cinema), is open for private rentals. Groups of up to 20 may reserve an auditorium and bring in a DVD copy of the movie they’d like to watch. Cost is $100 for up to 2.5 hours and concessions are available.

“It’s been really good. We’ve had about 10 groups per weekend,” the representative said. “It’s helping keep some staff employed.”

Regardless of when it is, the representative stressed that the plan is to reopen.

“We have no plans of not reopening,” the representative said. “We want to open.”

         

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Subscribe to our newsletter

   

White Cane Coffee presents Coffee & a Conversation

Don't Miss