Most local Marcus theaters will reopen this weekend
Many southeast Wisconsin Marcus theaters will reopen this weekend, with most of the rest of them reopening the weekend of Aug. 28-30, after being closed since March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Ridge in New Berlin opened earlier this summer as a test run of Marcus Theatres’ safety precautions. The Majestic in Brookfield, Menomonee Falls Cinema, the Bistroplex Southridge, Movie Tavern Brookfield Square and South Shore in Oak Creek are set for their own reopenings Friday, Aug. 21.
Hillside in Delafield and North
Shore in Mequon will reopen the following Friday, Aug. 28. Reopening dates have not been announced for Milwaukee’s South Gate and Franklin’s Showtime.
Marcus Theatres plans to reopen more than two-thirds of its 91 theaters in time for the Sept. 3 release of “Tenet,” the first major movie to be released since the pandemic forced movie studios to reschedule their releases.
President and CEO of Marcus Theatres Rolando Rodriguez said in a news release that more than 96% of early moviegoers have felt safe and comfortable in the few theaters that have been opened this summer, as a result of new safety precautions. They include mandatory mask-wearing except while eating and drinking, reserved seating with two empty seats between guests and increased cleaning and disinfecting.
Marcus Theatres is operated by Milwaukee-based Marcus Corp., which also owns Marcus Hotels & Resorts Inc. — another business hurt by the pandemic.
Marcus Corp. on Aug. 4 reported a $27 million loss for the second quarter ending June 25.
Revenue was $7.9 million, a 95% drop from the $232.5 million earned during the second quarter of 2019, the company reported.
Contact Amy Schwabe at (262) 8759488 or amy.schwabe@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @WisFamilyJS, Instagram at @wisfamilyjs or Facebook at WisconsinFamily.