CLEVELAND — Cleveland’s locally-owned Cleveland Cinemas chain is reopening this week.
Two of the chain’s locations, the Cedar Lee in Cleveland Heights and Chagrin Cinemas, will be open by Friday, August 21.
“Like most Americans, I’m excited to get back to the movies,” says Jon Forman, President of Cleveland Cinemas. “The magic of the movies is something that brings us together in the most trying of times. While the current crisis is on-going we know that going to the movies is an important part of our culture and we have taken steps to make our cinemas as safe as we can for our patrons and staff.”
Chagrin Cinemas will open with $5 screenings of “Major League” on Thursday, August 20, with showings at 6:30, 6:45 7, 7:15 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at clevelandcinemas.com and fandango.com.
Regular programming will resume Friday with screenings of new films including “Unhinged with” Russell Crowe and the teen drama “Words on Bathroom Walls” at Chagrin Cinemas.
The Cedar Lee will feature five new indie films, including the biopic “Tesla,” starring Ethan Hawke; “Stage Mother, starring drag legend Jackie Beat; and the South Korean zombie film “Peninsula.”
Both theaters have instituted new safety protocols, including but not limited to:
- Touchless purchase options at the box office and concession stand.
- Patrons encouraged to purchase tickets online at clevelandcinemas.com or fandango.com in advance to reduce points of contact.
- Patrons required to wear masks while in the building except when eating or drinking.
- Auditorium seating capacity reduced to 50 percent, with seats and rows closed to ensure social distancing.
- Showtimes spaced further apart to reduce crowds in lobby as well as allow for more time for cleaning and disinfecting the auditoriums between shows.
- Staff members will have temperatures taken before clocking in for shifts.
- Staff members will be required to wear masks while working.
- Staff will routinely disinfect frequent customer touch points.
- Plexiglass dividers have been installed at registers.
- Social distancing markers in lobby
The Apollo Theatre, Capitol Theatre, and Tower City Cinemas will remain closed until further notice.
