Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Hadden Theatre Supply closes

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 09-09-2011, 07:23 PM:

After 71 years, Hadden Theatre Supply closed today Sept. 9.

Owner Louis Bornwasser is retiring at 63.

Our larger customers purchased Digital at the boardroom level. Enough of our smaller customers are unable to make that move. The 35mm infrastructure is rapidly collapsing. The timing if right for us. Louis

Posted by Victor Liorentas (Member # 5272) on 09-09-2011, 08:14 PM:

[Frown]

Posted by Adam Fraser (Member # 1074) on 09-09-2011, 08:19 PM:

Thanks for getting us what we needed, when we needed it, Louis.

Also, thanks for the advice any time Les or I called about a technical question.

Enjoy your retirement.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 09-09-2011, 10:19 PM:

Whoa! This is too soon Louis. Hadden is/was THE Century masters of the industry! Sure film is on the way out, but not quite yet.

Maybe just one last year??? The industry is losing a great asset with this announcement. [Frown]

(Also please email me. I've been trying to reach you.)

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 09-09-2011, 11:15 PM:

This is not a happy day, for sure.

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 09-09-2011, 11:25 PM:

Sorry to hear of this Louis! But if it must be, as others have said, please enjoy your retirement. You've certainly earned it. Keep the pointed end forward and the greasy side down!

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 09-10-2011, 12:35 AM:

Louis,

You can't do this. None of us are entitled to have a real life. We're in the technical end of the cinema industry.

Your announcement brings back a lot of memories from my earliest days at Dolby Labs.

Enjoy your days smelling the roses.

Posted by Sean Weitzel (Member # 244) on 09-10-2011, 01:10 AM:

Louis,

First and foremost a heartfelt thanks to you from even this little guy just trying to keep his personal screening room equipment running. The knowledge gleaned from your posts have been priceless.

Second, I think I speak for most here in hoping that just because you are retiring you might still occasionally grace us with your presence and wisdom. Regardless we all wish you well. My own dad turns 65 this coming January and is planning to enter his retirement after 45 years in management in the amusement park industry. All the best!

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 09-10-2011, 02:39 AM:

Most definitely: sad to see such a well structured operation having to close due to the sudden changes happening in the presentation world.

Yet, it prob had to be done while Hadden was riding in the black and not get caught holding on to anybody's red tape. Yet, can one see all of the red ink flowing within these cinemas heading into digital and they themselves possibly heading into a tailspin as well.

Good luck, Louis - have fun sailing off with the wife to some uncharted island to forget it all ... but also agree: please check in often and still keep on offering the wonderful advice that you have been given in the past.

thx - Monte

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 09-10-2011, 07:30 AM:

Best wishes for your retirement! I have always enjoyed reading your posts and hope that you will stop by here occasionally in the future.

It is always sad for the industry when a well-respected service organization closes. There are already too few of these and now there is one fewer.

Posted by Steven J Hart (Member # 2340) on 09-10-2011, 07:48 AM:

Louis,
I only purchased a few items from you in the past, and enjoyed your old fashioned "We Keep Those in Stock" and "No we don't take credit cards, but we will extend you credit" business practices.
I read your recent letter concerning the closing of Hadden with a heavy heart. It truly is the end of the film era. I enjoyed speaking with you on the phone on several occasions, and wish you all the best during your retirement. I hope that you will continue to be a regular contributor on the Film-Tech Forums. Your knowledge and concise answers are always of value.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 09-10-2011, 08:04 AM:

Enjoy your hard earned retirement Louis. I have planned for a similar age deadline for my retirement even though I do enjoy working with digital.

Mark

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 09-10-2011, 09:07 AM:

If you must, you must Louis. The best of everything to you and yours. But at 63 you're still a young man. I'll be 80 next April and I don't think I'm done yet. I just haven't figured out what I'm going to do when I grow up.

Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 09-10-2011, 09:20 AM:

Louis has kept us up and running for more than 20 years. When I got the letter about a week ago I had to call and express me regrets. Not only Louis, but everyone at Hadden was a pleasure to deal with. A pretty rate situation in this industry.

Posted by Kenneth Wuepper (Member # 1174) on 09-10-2011, 09:36 AM:

Congratulations Louis.

In the future you will look back and have many pleasant memories of the friends and colleagues you made while conducting a wonderful business.

Although it is painful to leave those who relied on your assistance, in the future they will only learn to appreciate your help even more. The decision to close while the business is still solvent is a very wise move. Too often owners try to keep on going when they know there is no future to be had.

Enjoy the rest of your life and know that your work was well done and sincerely respected.

Respectfully
KEN Wuepper

Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 09-10-2011, 02:05 PM:

I echo the sentiments of everyone above me. While we've only had one conversation on the phone, I know your contributions here have been invaluable. I hope you remain an active member of this community. Oh, and definitely enjoy your retirement! I'm sure you deserve it! [beer]

Posted by Robert Koch (Member # 3728) on 09-10-2011, 06:35 PM:

Louis:
I met you quite a few years ago at the ranch in the Lucas Valley in Marin County years ago during the TAP days.{Lucas Valley was there when I was a kid and long before Geo. was a spar in his Pappy`s eye. I certainly enjoyed talking to you and really could tell you had been thru the mill. Enjoy your retirement even though Sam says "we`re no really entitled to a real life since we chose this business".I`m 89 now and have been retired for quite a few years. About the only fun I have now is bugging Brad about his villification of the long dead designers of Rotary Stabilizer soundheads.

Posted by Cameron Glendinning (Member # 3516) on 09-10-2011, 08:46 PM:

Best Wishes Louis, You have picked the perfect time to retire! Enjoy [beer]

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 09-11-2011, 10:01 AM:

Happy Retirement

Posted by Tony Gallimore (Member # 5358) on 09-11-2011, 12:00 PM:

Louis, One of the happiest moves I ever made was to retire, but I also greatly miss it too. Maybe you should hang onto your voltmeters, soldering iron and a few spare parts just in case NASA's prediction about the coming magnetic storms wiping out electronics proves to be true. We may be firing up those old outdated 35mm's after all! Good Luck and Best Wishes! [thumbsup]

Posted by Brian Guckian (Member # 1678) on 09-11-2011, 03:25 PM:

Sounds like you're beginning your Third Act, Louis!

Best wishes for this new chapter - "retirement"? - pah! [Big Grin]

Posted by Aaron Garman (Member # 1653) on 09-11-2011, 03:48 PM:

I hope one day I can retire with such a distinguished career. Enjoy every bit of it!

AJG

Posted by Robert Throop (Member # 61) on 09-11-2011, 05:56 PM:

Louis,
We've had a couple of terrific phone conversations. I certainly hope you plan on continuing to impart your wisdom to these forums.
Bob

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 09-11-2011, 06:46 PM:

quote:
We may be firing up those old outdated 35mm's after all!

...and this might happen during our lifetime.

Posted by Ian Parfrey (Member # 5122) on 09-11-2011, 07:32 PM:

Permission is NOT granted for your absenteeism from these forums, Louis. [Razz]

Your knowledge and experience is too precious keep to yourself and we hope to see you here imparting that knowledge for a long time to come.

Enjoy your retirement!

Posted by Kurt Zupin (Member # 2751) on 09-11-2011, 09:30 PM:

Thank you Louis for taking my calls back when I was just a MIT at Goodrich Quality Theaters working at the Cadillac 5. You were a great asset, and helped me out of a few pinches. Enjoy your retirement and thanks again sir!!!

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 09-12-2011, 02:39 PM:

quote: Ian Parfrey
Permission is NOT granted for your absenteeism from these forums, Louis.

That's right, you can retire from your job but you CANNOT retire from Film-Tech unless you die. [Smile]

Enjoy your time-off, Louis and thanks for the good service.

Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 09-12-2011, 03:14 PM:

All the best for a happy retirement - although you may be dragged out of it once all those DCP servers start projecting blue screens of death in front of packed houses and people start dusting off the tried and tested technology again!

Posted by Cody Martin (Member # 2523) on 09-12-2011, 03:58 PM:

Congratulations on the retirement.

Hadden and yourself were always a great help to me while working at my former employer. It was a pleasure meeting you at the TOI conference and talking with you on the phone.

Take care,
Cody

Posted by Bruce McGee (Member # 131) on 09-12-2011, 08:13 PM:

I thank you, Louis, for the help you gave me with my lamphouse. I will never forget this.

Bruce

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 09-13-2011, 04:01 AM:

Echoing all our colleagues here, let me wish you all the best in this new adventure. Never think of it as retiring -- you are just refocusing what you are engaged in -- a vibrant, rich and happy life.

Your posts here were not only full of technical knowledge and helpful to scores of us, but always warm, witty and especially respectful; please don't be a stranger here on FT.

Again, best wishes to one of our own.

Posted by Bob Peterson (Member # 826) on 09-13-2011, 04:47 PM:

Louis,
I'm jealous! Even though our company is holding on during the transistion to digital I can't help thinking this is the perfect time to pass the baton to the young-uns. Damn I am 59 and it may be too early to join you.... Enjoy all that you've worked hard for and may all your ILS's be above minimums!
Bob [beer]

New England Theatre Service, Inc.

Posted by John T. Hendrickson, Jr (Member # 849) on 09-15-2011, 04:05 PM:

Louis-

I'll jump in here right behind my good friend Bob Peterson. Wishing you all the best. Keep us "posted" here on Film-Tech.

Posted by Travis Cape (Member # 466) on 09-16-2011, 05:30 PM:

Louis,

You've helped, listened, and entertained me with so many problems and stories in the past twenty years. It was great to see you and your staff last week. I am having a hard time watching everything get heaved into the trash.

Call it progress, I say bs. I guess now's the time to set up a booth at home!

Travis

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 142) on 09-17-2011, 12:06 AM:

All the best for your future Louis. I am sure your clients will be sad to see you go, but glad that you have been able to help them over the years.

David

Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 09-20-2011, 02:16 AM:

Louis,
It's a sad reality that the days of "film" are quickly coming to an end. I remember back in the early 90's sitting in my office at the Town & Country Cinema (twin) in Aberdeen, NC, reading an article in Kodak's Film Notes for REEL People, that digital sound was coming to light and soundtracks would be contained on a separate CD... I recall thinking then.. "no way will this ever become widespread"... Oh how times change..

Enjoy your retirement! I'm sure that the many people you've helped over the years sincerely appreciate your expertise....

Posted by Andres Briano (Member # 4621) on 10-06-2011, 02:18 PM:

Louis,
On behalf of National Amusements in Argentina: THANK YOU for everything. Every single day you are present in our booths through your logos and the quality of your equipment (I have the 96-001 specially in mind).
I personally wish you the best in this new stage.

Fondly,
Andrés

Posted by Bud Shepard (Member # 357) on 10-07-2011, 12:16 PM:

Louis, after all these years it's a sad day to hear you're retiring. Seems like yesterday we were at S/C Lawrence with Glenn Terrell and Lonny Jennings installing your new automations. Enjoy your retirement my friend.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 10-08-2011, 11:29 PM:

Wow! Gone for a few days and checked back. You guys are rteally kind.

One issue is that two of my key employees were past retirement age. The others were close and I am 63. We did find a way to satisfy each of them.

btw: I am writing from Athens Greece after an island-hopping cruise on a sailng ship from Istanbul through the Greek Islands. Much history/beauty. Louis

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 10-09-2011, 12:26 AM:

Louis,
If you get a chance, check out Thessaloniki theater . I installed a Mega 8/70 there, pretty cool place.

Posted by Christos Mitsakis (Member # 143) on 10-09-2011, 07:44 AM:

Louis are you staying in Athens for a couple of days or you are in transit? If you do, the beer is on the table!
Christos.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 10-10-2011, 05:01 PM:

Your kind invitation is received now that I am back in America. Next time. Louis

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 10-10-2011, 05:29 PM:

Louis, please contact me. There is one final gig that your expertise is needed for.

Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 10-10-2011, 09:41 PM:

A while ago (1995) I begin working at the Showcase Cincinnati 12 in Norwood, Ohio. I eventually became the projection booth manager at that location. Ever since then, when I am asked about which is the best 35 mm projection automation that I have ever worked with - I tell them "Louie-mation" - which was the automation that Showcase was using at the time.

Am I correct to assume that you are the "Louie" in Louie-mation? I believe my information is correct.

So, while you may be retiring from the business. You will never be forgotten.

Best 35 mm automation system I ever worked with...

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 10-12-2011, 12:57 PM:

Thank you Dennis. Yes, same "Louie." I can claim no special knowledge for that automation. Others had been working (poorly) for 2 years on a special automation for National Amusements/Glenn terrell. I was given the chance. At least 12 old-school operators (like Gene Plourde at East Hartford, Ct) gave me a list of pet peeves on automation. Amazingly, of more than 92 suggestions, only 3 or 4 were in conflict with each other. I made the value judgements.

Kelmar dimmers: they asked several of us what to build. I am the "father" of the "works on the door" and the removeable 2 sided panel and the mounting fins above and below the dimmer. (never purchased any other dimmer after that: 1986. Louis

Posted by Jeff Lacey (Member # 3217) on 10-25-2011, 05:39 PM:

Wow, this is sad news. But enjoy your retirement!

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 10-27-2011, 06:12 PM:

Hi Louis

Sad to hear Hadden has closed after such a long time, but I sincerely hope you can now get to relax and enjoy your retirement. You sure deserve it. I hear Sydney's a great place to visit in retirement. [Cool]

John.

Posted by Ian Parfrey (Member # 5122) on 10-27-2011, 07:18 PM:

Isn't Sydney South of Queensland? [Razz]

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 10-27-2011, 07:53 PM:

Are you from Queensland? Um...no, we...er...moved. There's no-one by that name here. [Razz]