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McGinn: It’s time for the local movie theaters to upgrade
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By Andrew McGinn,
Staff Writer
Updated 7:00 PM Thursday, May 14, 2009
In my hometown of Jefferson, Iowa, the one and only grocery store is closed Sundays and closes at 9 p.m. the rest of the week.
It’s the only grocery store in the entire county.
Growing up, the last gas station closed at 10 p.m.
A big city was one with a McDonald’s — a really big city had more than one McDonald’s.
We had a Hardee’s. It closed.
We had a Pizza Hut. It closed.
But Jefferson, Iowa, has a movie theater with stadium-style seating and drink holders.
What’s wrong with this picture?
By my count, Springfield has four McDonald’s, a Hardee’s, three Pizza Huts and several places that aren’t scared to be open past sundown or on the Sabbath — yet when I go to Cinema 10, I have to set my pop on the floor and hope that, for my wife’s sake, someone no taller than an Oompa Loompa sits in front of us.
In short (no offense to the Oompa Loompas), it’s time for Chakeres Theatres to upgrade.
It’s pretty bad when I take my visiting mother to the movies and she says, “What, no drink holders?”
My parents are people who don’t ask for much.
They have to drive 45 minutes one way to get to a Lowe’s (or in their case, a Menards). It’s 30 minutes just to find a place that sells shoes.
And yet, they’ve come to expect the convenience of drink holders at the movie theater.
Why wouldn’t they?
Who doesn’t want their soda right at their fingertips?
And for the theater owners, it even makes a little sense, too — with cup holders built right into the armrest, it’s less likely that drinks will accidentally be kicked over.
After all, judging by the prices, Dr Pepper is a precious commodity.
I hate the idea of driving out of town to see a movie, especially when, between Cinema 10 and the mall, we have 15 screens right here.
But people do.
Drive over to Beavercreek right now and I can guarantee you’ll find a Clark County license plate in the parking lot of the Regal Hollywood 20.
Crazy thing is, those people not only are driving out of town to see a movie — they’re paying $10.50 to see one.
Nighttime admission locally is $7.50, but considering the dollar-theater amenities, it’s not a dollar-theater price.
In Beavercreek (or the AMC Lennox Town Center in Columbus, where admission runs $9), Yao Ming could plop down in front of you and you could still see.
And you won’t hear the explosions from the theater next door, either.
Frankly, I just don’t understand why local businesses don’t want to do more to keep customers here.
Look at the Upper Valley Mall.
With the exception of the new sporting goods store, I’m guessing the place looks practically unchanged from its 1971 opening.
But because it’s locally owned and operated — and has been since 1908 — Chakeres Theatres at least has the power and authority to do something. (The company declined to comment.)
Then again, I guess you don’t get to celebrate 101 years as a business without being frugal.
Or a monopoly.
Look no further than the historic Regent Theatre, which Chakeres closed in 1991.
Inside and out, though, it looks like it’s been closed since at least the advent of talking movies.
Oh, sure, I realize we’re in a recession or a depression or whatever we’re calling it.
But people are still going to the movies, to the tune of $75.2 million this past weekend for “Star Trek” alone.
All I ask is that my $3 soda be given someplace more dignified to rest than on the floor.
Oh, yeah, and in Jefferson, Iowa, it still only costs $4 to see a movie.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0352 or amcginn@coxohio.com.
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