Nonprofit YES Cinema is reopening Friday with a splash — and leaders are hoping its loyal following is ready to return to the big screen with a big summertime classic: “Jaws.”
The comeback since a mid-March closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic will feature a variety of safety precautions, including:
Masked and gloved staffers who even will open doors for ticket buyers.
Digital forehead thermometers at the entrance to guard against sick visitors.
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Plastic shields at the ticket and concession stand and the bar area that serves beer and wine.
Marked-off safe distancing between seats and a limited attendance at each show.
A stepped-up sanitizing protocol between showings at the downtown Columbus venue that long has promoted its clean surroundings.
“It is still the cleanest theater,” said Diane Doup, community outreach coordinator for the Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center that operates YES as a fundraiser for a range of programs.
Plus, it’s also used as as a funder of a wide range of the center’s programs for lower-income clients, and also part of the agency’s job training program for Lincoln-Central clients. So the cinema is hoping to see the community show its support in the coming weeks.
That’s important for YES’ future since the venue lost an estimated $60,000 in revenue, including on-screen advertising and ticket and concession sales during the closure.
Randy Allman, Lincoln-Central’s executive director, feels confident about the theater’s gradual, financial comeback.
“We hope businesses will see the benefit of advertising on the large screen,” Allman said. “So we’re certainly trying to promote a really aggressive advertising program.”
And he believes the adjustments will allow moviegoers to relax as always — and maybe even more so than before, since viewers will be more spread out throughout the two theaters.
“I think that people really are going to like everything and feel safe,” he said.
Among other detailed adjustments, there also will be individual packets of salt for popcorn in lieu of salt shakers.
“We’ve researched and read a lot, and we think we have it down to a fine science,” Allman said. “And we believe we’re going to be even better than before.”
Columbus’ Tristan Watkins is owner of Triflix that is now handling YES’ marketing and account management.
“We believe that things will get back to normal eventually,” Watkins said. “And I believe that YES Cinema is doing all it can in terms of health and safety measures so that this re-launch can be as good as it possibly can be. They’ve taken a lot of time for a lot of forethought.”
He acknowledged that there is a delicate balance between informing the public on such issues and unnecessarily scaring them.
“We want them to be aware,” Watkins said, “but not to the point that they have to be concerned.”
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- Re-opening movies "Jaws" and "Jungle Book Live Action" expect to play for a week.
- All tickets any time are now $5.
- The new Russell Crowe movie, originally slated for July 1, has been moved back to July 10 nationally, including at YES.
Information: yescinema.org
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YES Cinema is offering bags of its popcorn by order on from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 3.
Sizes available are a large bag for an individual or small family at $10 and an extra large bag for a large family or small group at $25.
Preordering and payment in advance is required and can be done by calling 812-379-1630 or dropping in at YES Cinema between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. July 3.
For more information, visit yescinema.org.
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