After 5 months, AMC Theaters reopens its doors, cautiously
W(ST H20(ST(A', Pa ² The doors to the A0C Waterfront 22 were locked. They had been for five months, along with most indoor theaters in the 8.S. because of C29,'-19. But in 20 minutes that was about to change and four people in masks were already gathered outside the theater 8 miles southeast of Pittsburgh in eager anticipation. They were there to see the 9in 'iesel movie “Bloodshot” for 15 cents a ticket. After so many months, 20 e[tra minutes didn’t seem like all that long to wait.
The lights started slowing coming back on in theaters nationwide Thursday with A0C Theaters, the country’s largest chain, leading the charge.
A0C opened some 113 locations across the 8.S., advertising retro pricing and retro screenings to entice audiences back to the movies. 5egal, the second largest e[hibitor, is following suit )riday. ,t’s been a long-time coming for the beleaguered businesses, which had several false starts due to coronavirus spikes.
When the doors at the West Homestead theater finally opened, masked employees stood in the lobby to greet patrons and help them navigate the new safety protocols inside, where masks are required e[cept when eating and drinking concessions and the sick are asked to stay home. Pretty soon, the number of customers had doubled and in time there was a steady stream of people of all ages coming through the doors ready to e[perience the big screen again.
“0y son and , counted the days until it reopened. We love coming to the movies. That’s why we’re here,” said Betty *allagher. “And today’s 15 cents, so that was another incentive.”
The “1920s pricing” was a main draw for most of those early customers. 2ne 58-year-old man, -erome Heslin, said he hadn’t been to a theater in over 40 years, but the price got him back.
“,t’s a nice thing to do,” Heslin said.
After opening day, the back-catalog films from “Black Panther” to “*rease” will cost 5 a ticket.
)or others, it was something to do with their children. /eslie /ope] came out with her 5-year-old daughter to see the live-action “Beauty and the Beast,” as did /indsey Adams with her 3-year-old, bedecked in Belle’s golden ball gown.
1either were concerned about C29,'-19.
“We have our masks on and our hand saniti]er and we’re taking our precautions,” Adams said. “We’re sure the theater has done everything they could.”
There was a bit of a learning curve for some patrons when it came to the new safety and social distancing protocols. Some wandered in with masks down by their chins an employee quickly approached them to ask that they cover their faces . 2thers were surprised that concessions were cash only. And at least one family was e[tremely disappointed to find out that the movie they wanted to see was already sold out.