#INTERMISSION THEATRE MOVIE#
#INTERMISSION THEATRE FREE#

#INTERMISSION THEATRE FREE#

Dinners were served in the theater, along with free movies, said Rachel Flesher, McMenamins district manager. The theater at McMenamins Kennedy School reopened earlier than the others in 2021, when the state lifted closure mandates on restaurants. “I might be biased, but I think - and I hear from others - our popcorn is the best in town,” Fulk said. Hollywood’s concession stand remained open during the pandemic shutdown. They got away with metal and stomachaches from candy.” Of one break-in, operator Greg Wood said, “They must’ve been hungry too. Others were repairs to the marquee hit by a truck and three separate break-ins by metal thieves. Ventilation upgrades were only one of the reopening costs. Roseway was closed longer than the other three local theaters. That comes with additional costs since outdoor air requires heating in winter and cooling in summer.

The theater’s upgraded HVAC filtration system circulates air from outdoors. (Nancy Varekamp)Ĭhristen Fulk, Hollywood Theatre’s development and engagement senior director, reported a similar expense and effectiveness.

That’s one of the reasons the concession remained open, even when mandates didn’t allow audiences inside. “But I don’t think it’s a bad idea to have it.” Christen Fulk thinks Hollywood Theatre’s popcorn is the best in Portland. “It wasn’t required, and it wasn’t a small expense,” he said. The air at the Laurelhurst Theater is now treated with ultraviolet rays and filters to screen out 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria, according to Prescott Allen, Laurelhurst Theater co-owner. Preparations for reopening during distancing and mask mandates, which ended three months ago, included upgrading ventilation systems at the Hollywood, Laurelhurst, McMenamins and Roseway theaters. Four local theater operators say they’re as excited as their customers to be open, shed restrictions and resume business that’s near normal. In 20, most had been closed for 15 months due to government mandates.

#INTERMISSION THEATRE MOVIE#

Movie theaters are emerging from the worst of the pandemic with increasing crowds.

Intermission theatre