east valley
Volume 3 Issue 7 Mesa, AZ
August 30, 2020
East Valley to soon see an open movie house BY KEVIN REAGAN Tribune Staff Writer
T
IN THE BIZ
he Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas in Tempe, Chandler and Gilbert will soon start screening films again – six months after multiplexes were forced to close because of the COVID-19 pandemic. And Harkins announced its reopening of long-shuttered theaters as of last Friday. While AMC Theaters gave no indication on its corporate website, both Alamo and Harkins will begin special showings tomorrow, Aug. 31, of what was supposed to be this summer’s first big summer blockbuster – Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet.” Cinemark also is reopening. But if you’re planning to take in that flick – or any others – be prepared to wear a mask. Unless you’re eating popcorn or some other munchies, you’ll have to wear one. Otherwise, you’ll have to either wait until Maricopa County relaxes its mask mandate – something not likely any time soon – or just go back to Netflix. The Arizona Department of Health Services last week gave the green light to Alamo’s and Harkins’ safety plans for reopening as the state weighs reopening requests from hundreds of theaters, bars and gyms. “That was a big step,” said Craig Paschich, co-owner of Alamo’s three theaters in Arizona. The Chandler and Gilbert locations are expected to reopen in a week or two. Harkins and Alamo were among more than 102 venues, gyms and bars approved for reopening early last week. Out of the Public Notices ............... page 2 © Copyright, 2020 East Valley Tribune
800 businesses that initially applied for reopening, at least 202 have been turned down. With benchmarks showing fewer cases of COVID-19 in Maricopa County, gyms and fitness centers to reopen at 25 percent capacity. But they are required to provide the state Health Services Department with an attestation of compliance with its safety protocols and post that in a visible site on their premises. More information is at azhealth.gov. The department issued an announcement encouraging people to report violators to either the state or county health department or even local police. It’s trickier for bars. Only those that convert to “restaurant service’’ can reopen. That means customers must be escorted to tables, groups limited to no more than 10, no standing or mingling, and limited waiting areas. And forget dancing. Paschich said the application process with DHS was relatively straightforward and not too burdensome. Patrons can expect to see many changes at all three locations as Alamo Drafthouse adapts to protocols to protect staff and patrons from the coronavirus. Staff and customers will be required to wear masks inside the theaters, but can remove them while eating popcorn or other items. Stickers will be placed on the floors of the cinema’s bathrooms to instruct visitors how to navigate the common space without getting too close to others. (USPS 004-616) is published weekly
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The Alamo theatres are part of a national chain of cinemas known for their large screening rooms that allow for guests to order food and be served alcohol during the show. Arizona’s Alamo locations will initially offer a scaled-down version of their food and beverage menu, Paschich said, and customers will be given disposable paper menus. Alamo’s online ticketing system will automatically place a two-seat buffer between every group of customers in order to ensure guests are seated at least six feet from each other at all times. If a guest starts to feel ill during a screening and needs to leave, Alamo says it will refund the patron’s ticket. Similar protocols are being introduced by Harkins. “There is no question that this has been the most difficult time in my 50 plus years in the business. I am so excited and so appreciative of our incredible team and tremendously loyal guests that have continued to support us through this challenging time,” said Dan Harkins, owner of the theaters that bears his family’s name. Both Paschich and Harkins President/ CEO Mike Bowers said reopening is not only good news for them but for moviegoers numbed by the wave of pandemicrelated news in recent months. “In trying times, people have always looked to us to escape for just a few hours of solace and to immerse themselves in another world,” said Bowers. Harkins said its new protocols “will meet or exceed uniform guidance from Subscriptions are $26 for 2 years, $14 for one year. Periodicals postage paid at Phoenix, AZ 85026.
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