Cinerama Dome Reopening???

[Mark Gulbrandsen]

Anyone else hear anything about this? Not sure if it's real or fake...

[Leo Enticknap]

Sorry if I'm coming across as a Debbie Downer, but filing for a liquor license renewal is likely not an indication that the Dome's reopening is imminent. They did that last year and it generated similar headlines and noise on social media. The underlying issue is, as I understand it, that per state law, a city or county needs a cast iron reason to revoke an existing license. Gun battles in the bar with mass fatalities on ten successive Friday nights might just do it, and even then, the owner can invoke a massive appeals procedure, that local taxpayers are on the hook for if the appeal is successful. However, applying for a new license is the exact opposite scenario: the process is long and tortuous, and basically all it takes is a single complaint from a local resident to get the application tossed out.

Therefore, the owners are likely renewing the license every year to ensure that it doesn't expire (which would trigger the need for a new, from scratch application), and thereby keep their options open. It is a valuable asset to have for a theater in that neck of the woods. When I worked at the Egyptian the management were constantly trying to get one, without success, and as a result had to do a ton of bureaucracy to pull temporary liquor permits for festival closing night galas, private rental events, and that sort of stuff. Even if the Dome eventually changes hands, it'll be a much more attractive prospect with that license than without it.

[Marcel Birgelen]

You'd expect that an urban center with such importance for the global movie industry, should be able to support such an iconic landmark as the Cinerama Dome in one way or another. And what Leo mentions makes sense. Renewing a liquor license is often peanuts compared to the money and efforts you need to put into it to get a new one. If the liquor license is easily transferable between owners, having such a license makes it far more attractive for any potential buyers.

[Ryan Gallagher]

It is probably easier to renew a liquor license than to get one again after letting it lapse (yeah, what Leo said). I expect the owner still has some hope buried in the back of their heads, but unsure if hopes can become dreams again.

I wonder if such a premises license is transferrable with the building/business? Cause that would be another reason to keep the license alive.

[Mark Gulbrandsen]

In a lot of places, if you don't renew, then you lose it. Then you have to start over from scratch again and keep you're fingers crossed that you get one.