Charles Theatre reopens for weekend movies
Darla Arends sells a movie ticket to Brian Knecht of Charles City Sunday evening on the reopening weekend for the Charles Theatre. Press photo by Bob Steenson
Brandi Johnson takes concession stand money from Brian Knecht of Charles City, Sunday evening on reopening weekend for the Charles Theatre. Press photo by Bob Steenson
Brandi Johnson, left, takes consession stand money from Shannon Moss for herself and Noah and Chesney Derscheid. Press photo by Bob Steenson
Glenda Alinea and Josh Johnson wait on patrons at the Charles Theatre Sunday evening, during the first weekend reopened after being closed for months because of COVID-19. Press photo by Bob Steenson
Glenda Alinea and Josh Johnson sell concessions at the Charles Theatre Sunday evening on reopening weekend. The two handed out soda, popcorn and candy, but the money was collected at another station to keep contact to a minimum for COVID-19 mitigation. Press photo by Bob Steenson
Seating is restricted to every other row at the Charles Theatre as it reopened this past weekend. Manager Karen Youngerman said attendace the first weekend open was low after being closed for months because of coronaviros concerns. Press photo by Bob Steenson
The Charles Theatre in Charles City reopened this past weekend with social distancing seating in place and a requirement that all patrons wear masks while entering and moving around in the theater. Press photo by Bob Steenson
By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com
The Charles Theatre in Charles City reopened this past weekend, with coronavirus mitigation efforts in place and modest attendance.
Theater manager Karen Youngerman said Sunday evening that the first three nights had been slow, but that those who had attended were understanding of the rules.
The theater announced Monday that for now it will be open only Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The theater has every other row of seats blocked off for social distancing, and is asking that people separate themselves, but people who arrive together are able to sit together.
There’s plexiglass in front of the ticket booth and at the concession stand, and the folks who hand out the concessions are not the people who take the money. That’s handled separately by another person.
There are hand sanitizer dispensers available as well, and the seats are sanitized after every show, Youngerman said.
The theater is also requiring that everyone who enters wears a face mask, and that they wear their masks when moving about the theater. Patrons are allowed to remove their masks when seated.
Asked if there has been resistance to the facemask rule, Youngerman replied, “No, none at all.”
She said the theater has masks available for sale for $1 for those who don’t have them, but so far everyone has had their own.
The movie this past weekend was the Disney live-action version of “The Jungle Book.” Next Friday through Sunday will feature the original 1984 version of “Footloose” starring Kevin Bacon.
Youngblood said most movie studios have pushed back the release of new movies and it is unclear when they will start being available.
She also mentioned that popcorn is available for sale inside at the concession stand on movie nights between 6:15 and 7:45 p.m., even for people who aren’t attending the movies, but that masks are required for these people as well while they’re in the theater.
For the past couple of months while the theater was closed, it offered curbside Friday night popcorn sales to help support the theater and pay the ongoing bills, and collected about $11,000, Youngerman said.
The theater had originally planned to reopen on July 6, but that was canceled when there was a spike in COVID-19 cases in Floyd County. The theater closed because of the new coronavirus in mid-March.
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