Saratoga Springs to announce major downtown movie theater
Posted at: 10/01/2012 6:14 PM
By: Mark Mulholland
|
|
|
|
SARATOGA SPRINGS - Visitors sometimes refer to Saratoga Springs as a city that has it all.
It doesn't, but it will soon have one of the few things it lacks.
A movie theater will be built downtown, just a block off Broadway. The 18-million dollar, 11-screen theater is the work of Saratoga Springs developer Sonny Bonacio.
Bonacio wasn't available Monday, but sources say the theater will be run by a major operator.
It's expected to be another major draw for a city with a reputation for attracting visitors.
"It's just another amenity to add to the many that we already have. It's one that puts people in downtown at times they might not be here, at night and on weekends," said Tom Shimkus, president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
The last time you could get a ticket to a movie here in downtown Saratoga Springs was the late 1970s before the Community Theater closed its doors.
The last full-year of operation for the Community was 1979. The Muppet Movie and Rocky Two, and Apocalypse Now were among the hits on the big-screen.
Chris Benton's family ran the Community Theater. His grandfather built it. He remembers standing in line to see Mary Poppins in the early 1960s.
He's encouraged that the city will have a theater once again.
"I think it's a great thing. I think it's a very good addition and it will bring people here and be good for Saratoga Springs," said Benton.
