|
|
This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3
|
|
Author
|
Topic: Theater with no payments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James Wyrembelski
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 114
From: Beaverton, MI, USA
Registered: Sep 2015
|
posted 01-11-2016 10:25 PM
A bit more moving forward
We're told the prognosis of the owner right now isn't great so they're pushing to move faster and perhaps we can get this done in the next couple weeks. Its an unfortunate turn for them. ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
So, until anything new happens I thought I'd share this article I stumbled upon. I wished they had shared this more. I didn't even know an article on this theater was published in Film Journal International.
Journey of the Gem
On May 1, 2001, Henry List took on ownership of the Gem Theater in Beaverton, Michigan, which first opened in 1940 with No Time for Comedy, starring James Stewart and Rosalind Russell. But as it celebrated its 75th anniversary this year, the Gem was in danger of becoming the next small-town theatre forced to shut its doors. Fortunately, thanks to the community’s efforts, the 1,000-plus residents of Beaverton will still be able to drive over to 120 Ross Street to catch a movie.
As List talks about his time at the Gem, almost immediately he mentions his family. “My son, Mark, was the only one who worked for all three owners.” Right after high school, Mark started at the Gem as a projectionist for then-owner James Methner, who also ran a grocery. According to Mark, Methner had allowed people to pay for groceries by pitching in to build the theatre. Hank Huckins became the next owner in the early ’90s, followed by Henry List. Mark also had experience managing the NCG Midland Cinemas in Midland, MI, which helped when the family bought the Gem.
Henry List had his reasons for the purchase. “We wanted to keep it open for the Beaverton community,” he says. “If you close a theatre in a small town, it won’t come back.” When he bought the theatre, some changes were made, including the decision not to play R-rated movies. “We were excited about the opportunity… We really shifted our focus to family movies [and] wanted to encourage families to come.”
The community responded positively to the change. “I had people call me from down-state, on a rainy weekend, asking me what was playing,” List recalls. “They would say, ‘Let’s go to the movies’—there would be so much traffic on a rainy weekend coming to the theatre.”
Over the years, the Gem has hosted special events as well, including youth lock-ins, a bachelor party and even a wedding. “We’ve hosted businesses needing an auditorium, and organizations’ fundraisers–the Cancer Society twice and the Historical Society.” The previous pastor of the Baptist Church would also supply a movie on occasion, and the theatre would run it. “I have a soft-spot for churches and youth groups,” List admits. Which explains one of the many hats he has worn. List has been a pastor for 40 years, spending the last 10 at the Church of the Brethren in Crystal, Michigan. He has been a financial counselor with Modern Woodmen of America for almost as long, and for a while he was a substance-abuse counselor.
All that and a soft spot for the theatre, of course. “I enjoy the industry, I enjoy meeting people,” List confirms. That includes his team: “We have a great staff, two other men in addition to Mark who are good and dependable.” David Stanley and Andy Frederick of Beaverton are both described as “great assets” to the Gem. List also has great respect for the local popcorn vendor, a third-generation, family-run business. “The Zastrows are a phenomenal family out of Hemlock,” he declares. “They sell corn poppers, they fix machines and run a route; they have a top-quality product. They raise their own popcorn, and they always know what we want.”
Henry List also knew what he wanted when “going digital or die” became the only route for the Gem. His wife Sue ran a Kickstarter campaign last year, in the hopes that it would provide the funding needed for the change. “With Kickstarter, it’s all or nothing,” Henry realized in the process. “Some don’t want to donate to a private business and that’s fine.” However, he adds, if the theatre is something that is valued in the community, then it would need the financial backing to go on. “Movies became increasingly difficult to get, and some they were not offering on film at all.” Once there was a period of four weeks with no movie, since there was nothing available, List recalls.
While the Kickstarter campaign did not quite pan out, some community members did come through by hosting bake sales and other fundraisers. But it was an offer to lease the new equipment for five years that became the only truly viable solution for the Gem. With the help of NEC’s “Ticket to Digital” program, the Gem Theater finally started the conversion to digital, after the last show on July 12. “San Andreas is the last movie we’re offering as film. Actually, it’s a pretty good movie,” List adds. “It’s an action movie with a storyline.”
In fact, List has had a few years to think about his personal favorites. “My top movies are the Shrek series, they are extremely clever and well-written,” he elaborates. “Then there’s Pixar, like Finding Nemo; any Pixar movie, really, is quality work.” List also mentions Toy Story 3. “He’s going to college and it’s all about the separation theme. It was powerful for adults, and kids loved it.”
As well as our readers do, List has to listen to a few misconceptions about the small-theatre business. “People think, ‘Oh it’s neat, you can see all the movies,’ but I am working when I’m here.” He also corrects casual observers who think movie tickets bring in the profits; concessions, of course, are the real moneymakers. (List does note that prices will go up a bit after the conversion, but not by too much.) “Families come in and they buy concessions. Concessions bring in enough profit to keep the theatre open…”
And List has made sure that there is something special on the menu board. “Our distributor said, at least a couple of years ago, that we are the only business in Michigan selling Hawaiian Sun.” The Gem carries three flavors–strawberry lilikoi, pineapple orange and passion orange–of this non-carbonated fruit drink. “My son went over to Hawaii on a trip; he tasted it and said, ‘That’s great,’” List explains. When someone else mentioned that her husband tried the beverage when he was in the Navy and liked it, that was all the convincing List needed. “We don’t have any trouble selling it, it is just a novelty…it is our little claim to fame… It is one of those things that is unique, found only at the Gem Theater in Beaverton, Michigan.”
However, there is an equally unique “Multicade” machine in the lobby that plays 60 different games, including Pac-Man, Donkey Kong and Frogger. The Gem also has a cotton-candy machine, and sometimes caramel corn is sold as well.
While the theatre takes some time off to convert to digital, List hopes to update the two poster cases out front and refresh a bit on the inside as well. Among his other plans is hosting a Grand Reopening, celebrating the theatre’s 75th anniversary with specials as a “Thank you” to the community.
In closing, List says his years owning the Gem have been good to him. He fondly recalls hosting a school group, as part of their science class, “showing them–this is how you make the magic happen.” Little did they know that they were watching a glimpse of what would and has become history. “I’ve enjoyed it,” List assures. “Interacting with people has been nice, and I have enjoyed the movies and the technical end of it.” Reminiscing about the times when “every community had a movie theatre,” he is happy that the Gem Theater will still be around for years to come. “Saving the theatre for future generations feels OK,” he says.
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
James Wyrembelski
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 114
From: Beaverton, MI, USA
Registered: Sep 2015
|
posted 11-29-2018 11:31 PM
Necroing this thread. Happened to find it and realized I never updated anyone.
We're open! Well, for over a month now! Everything is going fantastic currently. Ended up taking us almost 3 years on this project. Went through everything from construction issues to red tape to what have you. Really, what took the longest was our biggest issue: the former city manager. Long story, not going to get into that but it ended up leading to his removal. And, of course, there are always hidden road blocks when gutting into an old building.
I feel like we swooped in at an opportune moment. The city is rapidly expanding, especially in our industrial base. Our town is also cleaning itself up after a long period of neglect. We're facing a major housing shortage...plenty of employment opportunities yet nowhere to live.
The theater itself is not really anything like it used to be. My family ended up pouring a lot more into this than I ever expected. The results have been great and the feedback has been amazing. There are a couple updated pics on Cinema Treasures if anyone is interested in seeing the change. Seating went from a generous 300 to 175 with more leg room and larger seating in the rear of the audience. The theater came with an NEC900 that didn't even reach 500 hours before it had closed and the sound system went from one working speaker to nice full 7.1
Unfortunately the old Manley machine that was original to the theater was beyond repair. Honestly, I can't believe this place didn't burn to the ground from this thing. However, we found an old Burch popcorn machine at a local auction that looks nearly new after a little cleaning and maintenance (Circa 1936...its older than the theater!) Yet, the automaticket machine survived and is finding regular use again.
And Mike...yes....we had to have that neon!!! ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Everyone has been coming in droves to check it out so business is booming. Curious to see what normal business will begin to look like now that the hype has settled a bit. I'm optimistic yet cautious. Red flags are always raised with "single screen" "small town". But, whatever happens, the town has benefitted and this place has been saved from sure demolition.
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All times are Central (GMT -6:00)
|
This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3
|
Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classicTM
6.3.1.2
The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion
and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.
|
Home
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
, but i'll post later today some info on whats going on
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic