[dewilson58]

Did you see the petition on the on-line rag to open the theater???

+3k signatures.

One person quoted, "For the last six months or more, she and her husband and a friend have been going once a week and there are usually 10-15 people there per show, she said.".....................BINGO.

Then you have another wishing for Katie Belle's.

[Shipping up to Boston]

The interesting part of this topic is those that trash the ‘online rag’... but continue to read and quote from its content. So the real winner here is its publisher....as he continues to occupy space (rent free) in Villagers heads!

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Did you see the petition on the on-line rag to open the theater???

+3k signatures.

One person quoted, "For the last six months or more, she and her husband and a friend have been going once a week and there are usually 10-15 people there per show, she said.".....................BINGO.

Then you have another wishing for Katie Belle's.

Yep.

Two points: as the OP mentioned attendance at the Old Mill Playhouse is spotty at best. I've been to packed theaters there on a couple of the big releases, but have also attended when there are far more empty seats than patrons. Why have two active theaters when one is obviously more than filling the bill?

Second the petition approaches this as all-or-nothing. Not even close. AMC Lake Square 12 in Leesburg is only about 2.5 miles farther from Brownwood Paddock Square than Lake Sumter Landing is, with better traffic flow. There are other theaters in the area as well though admittedly with a bit longer drive.

[Papa_lecki]

I would guess the Developer has plans for that space - it’s large and it’s not making them any money.
And I will guess it won’t be a movie theatre (or a Katie Belles).

I also will guess Don W will find out what the plan is before it’s announced.

I could make guesses what it will be, but they would be guesses.

[New Englander]

I signed the petition. I really miss the Brownwood Theatre. It was nice to see an afternoon movie and then dinner at one of the restaurant's at the Square.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by New Englander

I signed the petition. I really miss the Brownwood Theatre. It was nice to see an afternoon movie and then dinner at one of the restaurant's at the Square.

Sorry that ship has sailed and aint coming back.

[Michael 61]

The Brownwood Theatre closed during Covid 2020, two and a half years prior to me moving here. Buying just across 44 in Richmond, it would have been great to have had a movie theatre so close to where I live, but I knew it had a zero chance of reopening when I purchased here. This situation is not unique to The Villages - theatres across the country are either closing or struggling to remain profitable. People got used to streaming services during Covid, and most have not returned to the theatres. This is also coupled with the quality of movies being shown. Small and independent films are seldom screening at cinemas these days, opting to go straight to a streaming service. Action and superhero movies seem to have taken over, targeting a young male audience, that will see these movies over and over again. I know most folks I talk to here (including myself) are not fans of this genre of movies. I was an avid movie goer (2-3 times per week) most of my adult life, and looked forward to continuing this trend in retirement. However, based on the quality of films showing at theatres since Covid, I rarely go to the movies. Since moving here, I think I’ve gone to The Old Mill Playhouse maybe 6 times, and 3 of those times was to watch a special screening of an old classic movie.

[Papa_lecki]

Didn’t know the petition was started 12 months ago, it’s not new.

[villagetinker]

IMHO, it is not up to the developer to reopen the movie theater, this decision would be up to AMC or another entity to reopen. The developer could offer lower rent or some other enticement, but since the developer is not in the movie business they are the wrong entity to approach.
Personally, I think a mixed-use approach could work, say half of the theaters used for local entertainment like the Sharon on a smaller scale, with the other theaters showing actual movies.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

I would guess the Developer has plans for that space - it’s large and it’s not making them any money.
And I will guess it won’t be a movie theatre (or a Katie Belles).

I also will guess Don W will find out what the plan is before it’s announced.

I could make guesses what it will be, but they would be guesses.

If made them money when they had it leased. The person who leased probably had different view. Can’t really blame Covid it was going down hill before that, but Covid finished it off. Maybe Why it’s empty no one wants to lease it. Movie theaters going way off the phone booth IMO.

[Papa_lecki]

It didn’t make money

Will the 4000 Villagers who signed the petition commit to a monthly subscription service? $75 a month, you get unlimited movies at the Brownwood theater. Cheaper than Netflix.
It’s not a charity, it needs to make $$$$

[Kelevision]

It probably costs more in electricity alone than they bring in. This isn’t only a Villages issue. Even in Los Angeles one of the largest theaters, ArcLight, closed too. Among so many others all over the country.

[Dusty_Star]

Originally Posted by New Englander

I signed the petition. I really miss the Brownwood Theatre. It was nice to see an afternoon movie and then dinner at one of the restaurant's at the Square.

You can still do this at The Old Mill Playhouse.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Yep.

Two points: as the OP mentioned attendance at the Old Mill Playhouse is spotty at best. I've been to packed theaters there on a couple of the big releases, but have also attended when there are far more empty seats than patrons. Why have two active theaters when one is obviously more than filling the bill?

Second the petition approaches this as all-or-nothing. Not even close. AMC Lake Square 12 in Leesburg is only about 2.5 miles farther from Brownwood Paddock Square than Lake Sumter Landing is, with better traffic flow. There are other theaters in the area as well though admittedly with a bit longer drive.

The AMC Theater in Leesburg has great seats. Kind of far to go from the CR466 area of the Villages but worth the trip.

I do miss the Barnstorm Theater though. Maybe the new owners of Old Mill Playhouse will buy it but I kind of doubt it.

[Altavia]

I crossed out theater and wrote in indoor pickleball