Movie magic returns to local big screens after lengthy COVID-19 shutdown

BRUNSWICK — After five months of being restricted to selling take-out concessions, Hickory Ridge Cinemas officially reopened last weekend. Operating under limited hours between Friday and Sunday, the theater showed four movies — "Aquaman," "Wonder Woman," "The Lego Movie" and "A Star is Born" — with all tickets only $5. The showings continue this weekend with "Grease," "Unhinged" and "Sonic the Hedgehog." "Unhinged" is the first new movie the theater has shown since it shut down in March. "This is the first movie that we've been open to get due to the multiple times the studios have pushed back the release schedules," Hickory Ridge Cinemas co-owner Jon Christy said. "That's why we opened up last week — so we could get started and get everything ready to go." AMC has opened some 113 locations across the U.S., advertising retro pricing and retro screenings to entice audiences back to the movies. Regal, the second-largest exhibitor, followed suit Friday. It's been a long time coming for the beleaguered businesses, which had several false starts because of coronavirus spikes. As difficult as it was to get to this point, Christy said it couldn't have been done without the help of the community. Paramount among this support is a GoFundMe drive that, as of Friday, had raised nearly $2,300 for the theater. "We did a lot of popcorn and concession sales," Christy said. "That helped get us through. GoFundMe helped tremendously. "I have to give a shout out to TLC (Transitional Living Centers). It's a special-needs group that supported us. We would play movies for them every Wednesday but with COVID, that got shut down. "They still supported us and sent a donation in to help keep things going," Christy said. Hickory Ridge is also offering an option for those that might not want to be in a theater with strangers. For $100, patrons can book out one of the building's eight theaters for up to 30 friends and family to watch any movie you can bring in on DVD. Christy said he has already had several people take advantage of that deal, with bookings being filled for late August and into September. After a strong but manageable first weekend reopening, Christy believes he and his staff are in a good place as more and more people make their way back to the theater. "It was kind of a slow start, but I think that was what we needed to get back into things and get ready for bigger crowds," he said. "As new movies come out, we'll definitely get them. We're finally at a point where new movies are coming out every week. We're hoping that people come in and see the movies." As movie theaters come back to life across the country, the National Association of Theater Owners is helping to take the guesswork out of safe operating practices in the era of COVID-19. The trade organization put forth a set of health and safety protocols Friday based on research and guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. More than 300 companies representing more than 2,600 theater locations in the U.S. have already signed on to the CinemaSafe program. The guidelines outline comprehensive mask policies, which are required for employees and patrons with a few exceptions for children younger than 2 and when consuming concessions — but only when approved by state and local health authorities. The rules state that masks should also be provided to employees who don't have them. Employees at Hickory Ridge Cinemas all donned face coverings Friday. Safety guidelines also sketch out recommendations for reduced-capacity screenings, air filtration optimization, cashless concessions, mobile ticketing, enhanced cleaning policies and employee health training about hand hygiene and the signs and symptoms of COVID-19. The association has been working for months to develop the rules in consultation with epidemiologists and industry experts. The organization's executive board includes the leaders of the major exhibition chains, such as AMC Entertainment, Cinemark and Cineworld/Regal. The alternative to not reopening is drastic. The shutdown was hard on Wadsworth's Great Oaks Cinema, which couldn't hold on until reopening day. After more than 40 years in business, the cinema permanently closed this summer, making the announcement in June and following up with an everything-must-go sale where even theater seats went for a steal — just $5 each. The theater, at 251 Great Oaks Trail, opened in 1977 and became known over the years for its large red theater double-doors covered with red leather that aimed to take customers back to bygone eras. First-run movies continued to be shown until Great Oaks shut down in March following COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. It was the second theater in Wadsworth opened by Gary Greive, who passed away in 2018. He purchased downtown's The Strand in 1960 before remodeling it for a reopening two years later and acquiring Akron's Lyn Theater in 1971. In the few years following the opening of Great Oaks, Greive bought Wadsworth's Blue Sky Drive-In Theater and Barberton's Magic City Drive-In Theater. He also operated the West Theater and Lake 8 Movies in Barberton. Now, a message on the theater's Facebook page offers just two words for anyone following the business: permanently closed. Contact Jack Kopanski at (330)721-4063 or jkopanski@medina-gazette.com.