New York City Movie Theaters Can Finally Reopen. Will People Return?
Rebecca Rubin, provided by
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For the first time in nearly a year, New York-based movie theater operator Nicolas Nicolaou can breathe a sigh of relief. That’s because Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that cinemas across the five boroughs could reopen starting next month, a potential reprieve for a sector of the entertainment industry that’s been walloped by the coronavirus pandemic.
Nicolaou owns three theaters in the city — Cinema Village in Manhattan, Alpine Theatre in Brooklyn and Cinemart Cinemas in Queens. Due to damage from frozen pipes, he doesn’t expect those venues to reopen until April 2. When he can reignite the marquee lights, his locations will be running at 25% capacity, or 50 people per auditorium — which means it will be nearly impossible to make money. Still, he says he’s grateful for the opportunity to welcome patrons after what he refers to as “the worst year of my life.”