Struggling with old structures and conversion to new digital projectors, community members find ways to support local theaters.
(Boonton, NJ, December 12, 2013) — A downtown theater provides not only entertainment, but a venue for other events that attract people downtown, and cross-promotional opportunities with nearby synergetic businesses such as restaurants, bars, book stores, and arts-based retail.
The Great Recession of 2008 left many small downtown theaters struggling financially. On the heels of that, theater owners must now finance conversion from 35mm to digital projectors by the end of 2013, when first-run movies will no longer be available in the older format.
Not only are the digital projectors and surround sound systems costly, but owners must ensure that historic theaters and projector booths are properly prepared for the new technology.
The December issue of Downtown Idea Exchange covers strategies communities are using to save their theaters and a link to an archive article describing how the shuttered Fox Theater in Hays, KS, was reopened as an event space. See the Fox Theater article here: www.downtowndevelopment.com/web_extras.php
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About the Downtown Research & Development Center
For over 50 years, the Downtown Research & Development Center has acted as the information clearinghouse on practical strategies and tactics for revitalizing the hearts of our cities and towns.
The Group\'s main activities include publishing the widely influential Downtown Idea Exchange and Downtown Promotion Reporter newsletters; publishing relevant books and reports; and operating the DowntownDevelopment.com website.
Website: http://www.DowntownDevelopment.com