Malco to begin phased reopening of theaters on June 15
Memphis-based theater chain Malco will begin a phased reopening of its movie houses in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Kentucky starting next week.
The company’s theaters have all been closed since mid-march due to the COVID-19 pandemic (although Malco’s Summer Drive-in has been operating since May).
On June 15, Malco will resume operations – albeit with heightened health and safety measures – at six theaters in the region. These include four locations in Mississippi: Southaven’s Desoto Cinema Grill, the Olive Branch Cinema Grill, the Renaissance Cinema Grill in Ridgeland, and the Tupelo Commons Cinema Grill. The company will also reopen its Smyrna Cinema in Tennessee and Kentucky’s Owensboro Cinema Grill.
Malco plans to reopen more theaters each week, and expects to have all its 35 locations operating by mid-july, in anticpation of the Christopher Nolan film
“Tenet” on July 17.
In a statement, Malco President and COO David Tashie said the company is “very excited to re-open theatres and welcome our customers back.”
Malco has posted a commitment statement on its website regarding its safety protocols, which include emplyoee health screenings, deep cleanings of auditoriums between shows, and social distancing plans with regard to seating.
“We have been diligently working on implementing new measures and protocols to ensure the safety of our guests and employees,” said Tashie. “We cannot wait for everyone to enjoy a night out experiencing movies on the big screen again.”
Since Hollywood has largely stopped releasing new films since the pandemic, the Malco calendar will mostly be filled with classic cinema fare at first, including “Jaws,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” and “Indiana Jones.”
A handful of pre-covid films – including “Trolls: World Tour,” and “The Invisible Man,” – will continue screening. A pair of new indie films, “The King of Staten Island,” and “The High Note,” will also be part of Malco’s initial offerings.
On July 1, a new Russell Crowe feature, “Unhinged,” opens, followed by Nolan’s “Tenet” on July 17. Disney’s “Mulan” and Paramount’s “Spongebob: Sponge on the Run” are set to follow on July 24 and July 31.