For Immediate Release

Contact: David Huffman, Cleveland Cinemas Director of Marketing 

  440.349.3306 dhuffman@clevelandcinemas.com

June 10, 2020

CLEVELAND CINEMAS ANNOUNCES RE-OPENING DATES FOR ITS THEATERS

(Cleveland, OH) Cleveland Cinemas will begin to welcome guests back to its neighborhood theaters beginning June 19th as it begins a three-phase re-opening plan.

“While Governor Dewine’s order allows movie theaters in Ohio to start operating on June 10th, we felt it was important to not rush to re-open,” says Jonathan Forman, President of Cleveland Cinemas. “After thoughtful discussions with our staff and operations team, we have come up with a plan that will provide patrons with an enjoyable and safe night at the movies, in our theaters that will be operating under the guidelines of  the Ohio Department of Health and the CDC.”

The first locations to re-open on Friday, June 19th will be the Apollo Theatre (19 E. College St., Oberlin) and Tower City Cinemas (230 W. Huron Rd., Cleveland). On Wednesday, June 24th the Capitol Theatre (1390 W. 65th St., Cleveland) and Chagrin Cinemas (8200 E. Washington St., Chagrin Falls) will open their doors. Finally, on Wednesday, July 1st the historic Cedar Lee Theatre will begin to welcome patrons.

“We wanted to re-open our theaters in phases so that we can ensure that the programs that we have developed in theory will work in practicality,” says Sean Denny, Cleveland Cinemas Director of Operations. “These phased openings will also help us gauge audience interest and allow us to make certain that all of our staffing needs are met.” 

“The programming we will be offering at first will be truly iconic movies that audiences love,” says Dave Huffman, Cleveland Cinemas Director of Marketing. “Our theaters have always offered an eclectic variety of films, from classics to independent films to Hollywood blockbusters. We know our audiences love to see all of these films on the big screen rather than just watch at home. With tickets priced at just $5 for adults and $3 for seniors and children, it will be a fun and inexpensive way for a family to enjoy an afternoon or evening out of the house.”

When Cleveland Cinemas locations re-open the following procedures and protocols will be in place:

• Patrons will be encouraged to wear face coverings while in the building common areas such as the lobby and restrooms.
• Social distancing markers in lobby to ensure proper space between patrons in lines.
• Touchless purchase options at the box office and concession stand.
• Patrons will be encouraged to purchase tickets online at clevelandcinemas.com or fandango.com in advance to reduce points of contact.
• Auditorium seating capacity will be reduced to 50% and seats and rows will be closed to ensure social distancing during the films.
• Showtimes will be spaced further apart to reduce crowds in lobby as well as allow for more time for cleaning and disinfecting the auditoriums between shows.
• Customer entrance and exit traffic flow will be directed to minimize crowds.
• Hand sanitizer stations will be available throughout the building.
• Staff members will have health assessments taken before clocking in for shifts.
• Staff members will be required to wear face coverings while working.
• Staff members will be required to wear gloves as well as frequently wash their hands.
• There will be a dedicated sanitation staff person for each shift to ensure that frequent touch points and surfaces are disinfected.
• Plexiglass dividers have been installed at registers.

Film titles and show times will be announced soon and will be available at clevelandcinemas.com. Patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance online at clevelandcinemas.com or fandango.com. 

###