Landmark Court Street theater, The Athena, closed Tuesday for cleaning and maintenance work. It will reopen July 15 for the opening weekend of Tim Burton's remake of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Rick Frame, director of operations for University Cinemas of Athens, and his business partner, Emmett Conway, will take over management of the Ohio University-owned theater July 1. Classic Theatres Inc., of Reynoldsburg, managed The Athena since 2002, according to an OU press release.
In addition to repainting walls and steam-cleaning carpets and chairs, Frame said they are installing a new popcorn machine, new projector equipment and new cash registers. Also, an existing automated ticket kiosk will be made operational, allowing patrons to purchase tickets 24 hours a day. Frame said the cleaning and the new equipment should cost between $10,000 and $20,000.
Keeping with past procedures, The Athena will work with the University Program Council and Ruth Bradley in the School of Film, Frame said. He said he intends to keep the same operating hours initially, but might add 4 p.m. movies for students getting out of class during the school year.
University Cinemas of Athens also currently is renovating the former Big Bear grocery store in the University Mall complex on East State Street; it is projected to open in November as a 14-screen multiplex. Frame said he and Conway came up with the idea to create a multiplex about a year and a half ago, and spoke with a consultant soon after.
Frame said he believes The Athena will hold its own when the new multiplex opens, and will continue to show art films. All The Athena's staff has been retained during the management shift, he said.
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Megan Chew
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The Big Bear currently stands empty in the University Mall complex on East State Street, awaiting completion of a renovation that will transform it into a 14-screen multiplex. The new multiplex is projected to open in November.
