Bye Bye, Barnstorm Theater

[champion6]

From the Dec. 9 Daily Sun:

Construction crews will soon begin interior demolition of the Barnstorm Building at Brownwood Paddock Square. The work will prepare the building to be leased out to a yet-to-be-determined tenant.

The building has been vacant since 2020 when the Barnstorm Theater closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since that time, the movie theater industry has been in flux due to the rise of at-home streaming and a decline in new theatrical releases. After showing some signs of bouncing back in 2023, the U.S. box office in 2024 has fallen off by about 7% to about $7.7 billion, according to IMDb. That total is about a 25% decrease from the pre- pandemic total of $10.3 billion in 2019.

[Road-Runner]

Shame, we'd love a movie theatre on the south side, especially one with comfortable seating and food delivered to the table.

[New Englander]

I heard from a reliable source it's going to be a Gentleman's Club.

[Taltarzac725]

Still miss going to the Barnstorm Theater.

[Stu from NYC]

Shame, we'd love a movie theatre on the south side, especially one with comfortable seating and food delivered to the table.

Unfortunately that model does not seem to work anymore

[dewilson58]

Thanks for posting Champ.

Sad to see it go, but I / We did not support it enough.

Let's move forward.

[michgary]

what in the world is a gentlemans club ,, and be very specific

[asianthree]

what in the world is a gentlemans club ,, and be very specific

Maybe poster for got to use the Sheldon sign

[Safety Ranger]

lol.. I believe that placed is called 'Home'.

[Flyers999]

what in the world is a gentlemans club ,, and be very specific

Yea. Like, where are you going to get the girls?

But putting all kidding aside, it's a sad day, but it happens

What do people want to see there? What business would you patronize?

I guess my vote would be for an Indian restaurant.

[BrianL99]

I guess my vote would be for an Indian restaurant.

That's a great idea. I've always though the cowboys at Brownwood were over-represented and Indians should get equal billing.

[Stu from NYC]

Yea. Like, where are you going to get the girls?

But putting all kidding aside, it's a sad day, but it happens

What do people want to see there? What business would you patronize?

I guess my vote would be for an Indian restaurant.

Greek restaurant.

Girls would have to be from outside the bubble. Just like Hooters will get them from, or at least we can hope.

[Bill14564]

I could agree with an ethnic restaurant (Greek or Indian would both be good) except....

- it won't be authentic
- it won't have the dishes I want to see
- it will be over priced
- it will be too spicy
- it won't be spicy enough
- it won't be as good as the restaurant back where I came from
- the only place to get good ____ food is _____

... and all of that is likely to happen before the first customer is served!

[Topspinmo]

I heard from a reliable source it's going to be a Gentleman's Club.


O boy, a pool hall!:pray:

[Topspinmo]

From the Dec. 9 Daily Sun:

Construction crews will soon begin interior demolition of the Barnstorm Building at Brownwood Paddock Square. The work will prepare the building to be leased out to a yet-to-be-determined tenant.

The building has been vacant since 2020 when the Barnstorm Theater closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since that time, the movie theater industry has been in flux due to the rise of at-home streaming and a decline in new theatrical releases. After showing some signs of bouncing back in 2023, the U.S. box office in 2024 has fallen off by about 7% to about $7.7 billion, according to IMDb. That total is about a 25% decrease from the pre- pandemic total of $10.3 billion in 2019.

Maybe indoor Pedal tennis the fastest growing sport in world! according to them?

[Topspinmo]

what in the world is a gentlemans club ,, and be very specific

Well let’s see an example would be the old style playboy club or mustang ranch? :throwtomatoes:

[Stu from NYC]

Maybe indoor Pedal tennis the fastest growing sport in world! according to them?

I heard that you cannot get there from here

[Snakster66]

Hopefully it will be a much needed bank.

[rustyp]

From the Dec. 9 Daily Sun:

Construction crews will soon begin interior demolition of the Barnstorm Building at Brownwood Paddock Square. The work will prepare the building to be leased out to a yet-to-be-determined tenant.

The building has been vacant since 2020 when the Barnstorm Theater closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since that time, the movie theater industry has been in flux due to the rise of at-home streaming and a decline in new theatrical releases. After showing some signs of bouncing back in 2023, the U.S. box office in 2024 has fallen off by about 7% to about $7.7 billion, according to IMDb. That total is about a 25% decrease from the pre- pandemic total of $10.3 billion in 2019.

Wonder if the developer can beat 4 years of pink plywood in front of the theatre while remodel occurs - like Spanish Springs. The plywood was up so long it was delaminating.

[Stu from NYC]

Wonder if the developer can beat 4 years of pink plywood in front of the theatre while remodel occurs - like Spanish Springs. The plywood was up so long it was delaminating.

If they have a customer for the property it will go up in record time

[Road-Runner]

Being a guy, I would love a really good hobby shop: R/C, trains, models, etc. I would think this kind of store would do well as long as it could compete (somewhat) with online dealers. Prices can't be 2X, but we've always supported our local stores where they existed and didn't mind spending a small premium to keep them viable.

[Craig Vernon]

Comedy club/dinner theater experience.

[Battlebasset]

Make it a Hofbrauhaus. With 1 liter German biers, schnitzel, bratwurst, and an Oompa band. Or let Hollerbach out of Sanford open another location here.

What could go wrong?

[Stu from NYC]

Make it a Hofbrauhaus. With 1 liter German biers, schnitzel, bratwurst, and an Oompa band. Or let Hollerbach out of Sanford open another location here.

What could go wrong?

A good German restaurant would also be good. Wonder why there isnt one here now?

[justjim]

A new Katie Belle for only Villagers and their guests. It’s the perfect building and fits with the theme of Brownwood.

[Taltarzac725]

A new Katie Belle for only Villagers and their guests. It’s the perfect building and fits with the theme of Brownwood.

I also thought of that especially after the son of a former neighbor mentioned Katie Belle's and its reputation as a meat market.

I really miss Cattle Baron's and watching the dancers from above.


I do not understand the desire to get rid of the movie theaters in a place with maybe 150, 000 retirees who for the most part grew up going to movies in theaters.

[mtdjed]

I also thought of that especially after the son of a former neighbor mentioned Katie Belle's and its reputation as a meat market.

I really miss Cattle Baron's and watching the dancers from above.


I do not understand the desire to get rid of the movie theaters in a place with maybe 150, 000 retirees who for the most part grew up going to movies in theaters.

Boy, are you out of touch. All the movies you need are now on TV for streaming. Why would anyone want to go to a movie theater, pay $2.00 admission and a dollar for popcorn?

[Taltarzac725]

Boy, are you out of touch. All the movies you need are now on TV for streaming. Why would anyone want to go to a movie theater, pay $2.00 admission and a dollar for popcorn?

Movies like Top Gun 2 are so much better on a very large screen.

[Topspinmo]

Make it a Hofbrauhaus. With 1 liter German biers, schnitzel, bratwurst, and an Oompa band. Or let Hollerbach out of Sanford open another location here.

What could go wrong?

Add polka that really kick it off. ;)

[Topspinmo]

I also thought of that especially after the son of a former neighbor mentioned Katie Belle's and its reputation as a meat market.

I really miss Cattle Baron's and watching the dancers from above.


I do not understand the desire to get rid of the movie theaters in a place with maybe 150, 000 retirees who for the most part grew up going to movies in theaters.


IMO not enough of us older generation go. Younger generation (and Older) can’t get them off IPhones long enough to watch movie.

[Bill14564]

...
I do not understand the desire to get rid of the movie theaters in a place with maybe 150, 000 retirees who for the most part grew up going to movies in theaters.

I doubt there is animosity towards movie theaters and a desire to get rid of them. More likely (as mentioned before) there is simply not enough money to be made.

Yes, it may be cheaper to have a building sit empty rather than pay to acquire films to be shown, pay for the heating and lighting, pay for the inventory and preparation of food, and pay for the employees.

[Taltarzac725]

IMO not enough of us older generation go. Younger generation (and Older) can’t get them off IPhones long enough to watch movie.

I have been to many movies here in the Villages when we had three working movie theaters and there were very few seats left.

And Wicked set a Thanksgiving box office record for movies based on Broadway plays. That is for Thanksgiving 2024.

[mraines]

From the Dec. 9 Daily Sun:

Construction crews will soon begin interior demolition of the Barnstorm Building at Brownwood Paddock Square. The work will prepare the building to be leased out to a yet-to-be-determined tenant.

The building has been vacant since 2020 when the Barnstorm Theater closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since that time, the movie theater industry has been in flux due to the rise of at-home streaming and a decline in new theatrical releases. After showing some signs of bouncing back in 2023, the U.S. box office in 2024 has fallen off by about 7% to about $7.7 billion, according to IMDb. That total is about a 25% decrease from the pre- pandemic total of $10.3 billion in 2019.
No doubt one of the Morse family friends will move in.

[Taltarzac725]

The Villages movie stats are probably very different from those of any other community in the US.

The Morses do call the shots here though. They have done a brilliant job in many respects.

[Stu from NYC]

I have been to many movies here in the Villages when we had three working movie theaters and there were very few seats left.

And Wicked set a Thanksgiving box office record for movies based on Broadway plays. That is for Thanksgiving 2024.

That was than, for better or worse now, movie theaters in general not a profitable business.

[rustyp]

A new Katie Belle for only Villagers and their guests. It’s the perfect building and fits with the theme of Brownwood.

Complete with free water - for the horses of course.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5XzJHYWN6I

Worth the watch - is that rocky and the rollers many many moons ago ?

And here is an example of how a Katie Belles could never be profitable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmWkQiXIXyY

[Taltarzac725]

That was than, for better or worse now, movie theaters in general not a profitable business.

Again. The Villages is a unique market. Epic Theaters though if they see a profit to be made will probably build a 2nd movie theater in this area. The Villages is huge and a lot of it is now south of Brownwood.

[JMintzer]

I could agree with an ethnic restaurant (Greek or Indian would both be good) except....

- it won't be authentic
- it won't have the dishes I want to see
- it will be over priced
- it will be too spicy
- it won't be spicy enough
- it won't be as good as the restaurant back where I came from
- the only place to get good ____ food is _____

... and all of that is likely to happen before the first customer is served!

You just described the exact complaints of just about every single new (and existing) restaurant in TV...

[Stu from NYC]

Again. The Villages is a unique market. Epic Theaters though if they see a profit to be made will probably build a 2nd movie theater in this area. The Villages is huge and a lot of it is now south of Brownwood.

Hear recently that Epic is not doing all that well and theater is being more and more run down.

[Bill14564]

You just described the exact complaints of just about every single new (and existing) restaurant in TV...

Yep

[New Englander]

Even when the theaters were open, more and more people are watching movies in the comfort of their home. Big screen TV's are getting less expensive all the time and the picture quality is great.

[golfing eagles]

Make it a Hofbrauhaus. With 1 liter German biers, schnitzel, bratwurst, and an Oompa band. Or let Hollerbach out of Sanford open another location here.

What could go wrong?

A good German restaurant would also be good. Wonder why there isnt one here now?

I hope that is sarcasm, given the German restaurant about 100 feet from the theater lasted about 6 months

[Bill14564]

I hope that is sarcasm, given the German restaurant about 100 feet from the theater lasted about 6 months

Which restaurant was that? I hope it was before my time here since I don't recall ever eating at a German restaurant in the square.

[golfing eagles]

Which restaurant was that? I hope it was before my time here since I don't recall ever eating at a German restaurant in the square.

It was named "Hofbrau". The original restaurant that is located where Bluefin is now closed about 2016. Then it was the German restaurant for less than a year. Next it was "Tapas", in the Spanish style, which lasted about 1 1/2 years. Bluefin has now been there for 4+ years.

[Taltarzac725]

Which restaurant was that? I hope it was before my time here since I don't recall ever eating at a German restaurant in the square.

I never got to it but do remember a German restaurant at one of the Squares. Probably near the Rialto.

[golfing eagles]

I never got to it but do remember a German restaurant at one of the Squares. Probably near the Rialto.

see above

[Bill14564]

It was named "Hofbrau". The original restaurant that is located where Bluefin is now closed about 2016. Then it was the German restaurant for less than a year. Next it was "Tapas", in the Spanish style, which lasted about 1 1/2 years. Bluefin has now been there for 4+ years.

I missed it, my first visit was 2018.

[golfing eagles]

I missed it, my first visit was 2018.

I just looked up Bluefin---it opened in August 2018, so 6 years ago. I guess time flies in TV :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

BTW, you didn't miss anything, It wasn't that good, hence the quick closure.

[Taltarzac725]

see above

Lots of restaurants seem to have come and gone on the Squares.

[golfing eagles]

Lots of restaurants seem to have come and gone on the Squares.

According to the National Restaurant Association, 30% of US restaurants fail before their first full year. 60% fail by their 3rd year.

[Jayhawk]

Again. The Villages is a unique market. Epic Theaters though if they see a profit to be made will probably build a 2nd movie theater in this area. The Villages is huge and a lot of it is now south of Brownwood.
The Decline in Movie Theater Attendance – The Red & Black (https://pmhsredandblack.com/10031/opinion/the-decline-in-movie-theater-attendance/#:~:text=The%20Rise%20of%20Streaming%20and,access% 20with%20a%20few%20clicks).

[Stu from NYC]

I hope that is sarcasm, given the German restaurant about 100 feet from the theater lasted about 6 months

Not sarcasm not aware there was a German restaurant here. Wonder why it did not last?

Oops later posts told me it was here and gone before our time here. Wonder if a new one that had good food, good service and reasonable pricing could make it.

[JoMar]

Not sarcasm not aware there was a German restaurant here. Wonder why it did not last?

Oops later posts told me it was here and gone before our time here. Wonder if a new one that had good food, good service and reasonable pricing could make it.

Pick two out of the three, trifecta's are hard to find anywhere.

[tophcfa]

I hope that is sarcasm, given the German restaurant about 100 feet from the theater lasted about 6 months

About the same amount of time the Guy Fieri place lasted where Chophouse now resides.

[Stu from NYC]

About the same amount of time the Guy Fieri place lasted where Chophouse now resides.

Always thought he was a blowhard. Has good burgers on Carnival Cruise lines though.

He had a place in NYC as I recall that had terrible reviews as I recall.

[golfing eagles]

About the same amount of time the Guy Fieri place lasted where Chophouse now resides.

But he was a visionary. He was selling $20 hamburgers when everywhere else was still at $10 :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Taltarzac725]

Drive-ins seem profitable right now and getter more so.

Probably not so much in the Villages as people are in bed by 9:00 PM. Not necessarily in bed to sleep but in bed.