As the credits role across the screen, you start to get up, and head out the door. You pass the main lobby and smell the buttery popcorn. When you step out the door and onto the street, the smell starts to fade, and the door shuts behind you.
On January 28th, 2024 the Bow Tie Cinemas Warner Brothers Ridgewood movie theater closed for good. On the sign outside the theater, the words ‘Closing Farewell’ struck the citizens of Ridgewood like a dagger to the heart. Ever since then, a big hole has been left in the town, and people have been wondering what would happen next. Many questions were left unanswered like why did it close, was it the cost of tickets or was it lack of interest? The BF Bolt, interviewed Tony Damiano, the head of the Ridgewood Guild, and Mayor Paul Vagianos about the plans for the vacant space.
Many other theaters around the country had suffered the same fate as the Ridgewood theater. After the theater closed, there were only “two theaters left” owned by Bow Tie Cinemas, Mayor Paul Vagianos of Ridgewood, said. There are many reasons why the many theaters across the country have closed. One main one is that due to Covid-19, many people didn’t feel comfortable going to the theaters, and drifted more toward online streaming services. “…With films streaming so quickly and all the cable options and such highly inflated ticket pricing, the theater’s audiences have dwindled.” Tony Damiano, director and founder of the Ridgewood Guild, said, “Ticket sales definitely declined during the pandemic.” Due to this, many streaming services have been thriving and replacing the role of movie theaters. Many people would rather wait for the movie to come on their personal screens at home than have the potential risk of catching a sickness or traveling to the theater. While watching a movie in the comfort of your own home may feel safer, it could take away the fun of watching the lights dim, and the film projected on a big screen.
Covid not only hit the movie theater, but many other businesses as well. The movie theater was hit the hardest, but few businesses were able to recover. “A lot of businesses went out of business, many have recovered, many have not,” Mayor Vagianos said. As the people of Ridgewood work to rebuild the theater, other businesses also work hard. The movie theater and three other stores around it are available to purchase. “…and there are three three retailers to the left of the building. The cupcake shop, Gong Cha, and D’or Jewelry, so it’s a whole package…” Damiano said.
Currently, inside of the barren building four separate movie theaters sat unused, two on the first floor and two on the second. Damiano is working to transform the space with the help of the Ridgewood Guild, the Mayor and various other members of the community. “So my idea, and the industry people agreed with this, is to do the lower level in a 700 to 800 seat theater, which would be great for performing arts and such. Up the stairs we will create a small movie theater, which again will probably hold 150 to 200 seats.” Damiano said.
This new space will be able to benefit the people of Ridgewood drastically. “It draws people downtown and when you go to the theater, you might take in a dinner before you watch a movie or get an ice cream or something like that so it’s supporting our businesses, and it gives kids things to do actually.” Damaino stated.
One of the main concerns of transforming the theater is who will be paying for the renovation. Volunteers, “funders and fundraising” Mayor Vagianos said. Taxes will not be affected for the making of the theater. “We’re going to need them to first help fundraise because I’m sure we’re going to need some more money to get this done.” Vagianos said when asked what the people of Ridgewood can do.
As the people of Ridgewood anticipate the arrival of the performing arts center, the town hopes that it opens by 2032. “It was built in 1932, so in the back of my mind, I thought wouldn’t it be great to reopen by [a century after] 1932, if not before,” Damiano said, “ because a building that’s 100 years old could be put on the national register for which historic buildings, and our theater certainly qualifies.”
It takes a village as the old saying goes, and this will be well worth it when this project is completed. Once again the downtown will be bustling with a space to watch a movie, catch a concert or view some art.
