Now which is it that you are interested in? A historic theatre or an older multi-plex? There are no historic multiplexes. There are some historic theatres that have been multiplexed, but it most cases they have lost there historic value in the process of being multied. A couple that I can think of that came through the plexing still looking pretty much original and still being able to carry the mantel of historic theatre are the Grand Lake in Oakland, CA. where the balcony became a 2nd theatre and stores within the building became new auditoriums, and the Sameric (orginally the Boyd)in Philadelphia where three additional auditoriums were added nextdoor and the original auditorium and lobbies are still completely intact. There are others, but few are still operating as movie theatres as those two are. Classifying a theatre or any building for that matter, as a historic building usually requires it to be over 50 years old. None of the newly built twins, tri-plexes, quads, or multi-plexes are yet to fall under that classification.
You ask the question that you don't know why the theatre is available for lease. I don't know either, but my guess would be that it was unprofitable. Of course there could be other reasons, but that is generally the number one reason. What is the theatre complex like that is 15 miles away? That isn't very far away... a 15 or 20 minute drive depending on the road system.
In my opinion, with this 6 plex, it would be more risky to try and compete with a new (or newer) multi-plex closeby then to run an historic theatre even if it was still a single screen. The movie going public will compare the plexes against one another, and if yours is the lesser of the two, you will lose out. If you operate an old historic theatre, restored and run just like it did back in it's heyday, then you have something that might stand far above what the competition can offer. It has been my experience that you can't just run an old theatre and expect to compete with a new multi-plex. You have to operate your historic venue like a theme park. It has to be special, totally unique... something that is entirely different then what the plex offers, and it has to be better. And since your operating a historic theatre, then why not carry through on that theme, and run it like it was meant to be run, like it was run. The best part about doing that is that the press will eat it up. They love doing stories about old theatres, and the press coverage you can get will be priceless, and virtually endless. I get my historic theatre in the paper or on TV at least twice a month. There's always another story to be told about an old theatre. The plexes just have nothing to offer for press coverage.
PS.
If you want to e-mail me with those figures, I would be happy to take a look at them for you.
[This message has been edited by RoxyVaudeville (edited February 15, 2002).]
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