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The Strand Theatre, one of 19 Fridley Theatre locations, will reopen with “I Still Believe” – its first showing of the summer 3 p.m. Friday.
Governor Kim Reynolds announced May 20 that indoor movie theatres could open for Memorial Day Weekend, which was welcome news for Fridley. With such a limited timetable, however, they were only able to open the Carroll and Cherokee locations for the holiday weekend.
Russell Vannorsdel, vice president of Fridley Theatres, said the two theatre openings allowed management to test its new operations, which included extra cleaning time between shows, disinfecting high-contact surfaces more frequently, and ushering in guests to ensure social-distancing measures are enforced. One of the main changes will be that groups of attendees will be limited to six people and seated six feet from other attendees.
Vannorsdel said that all Fridley Theatres are following the governor’s new guidelines of operating at or below 50% capacity. He said, in Creston, 50% equates approximately 125 attendees, which could be difficult to manage through the theatre’s small lobby.
“It’s difficult to get 125 people six feet apart ... so seating capacity will probably be 75 or less,” Vannorsdel said.
While the loss of revenue due to limited seating is not ideal for Fridley Theatres, Vannorsdel said it’s more important for the company to protect the health and safety of its guests.
“The company has taken every possible precaution to combat the spread of COVID-19 in its theatres,” Fridley Theatres announced in a press release. “It developed a comprehensive list of policies for its management teams and employees. Additionally, it created a pledge for its staff and guests, which it calls its ‘Commitment to our Communities.’
Vannorsdel said the "Commitment to our Communities" and safety rules are available online at www.fridleytheatres.com. On the theatres'' website, the public is asked to stay home if they are sick or have been exposed to COVID-19. Those attending a Fridley Theatre are asked to consent to a brief verbal health screening at the theatre's entrance.
For sale
It is no longer a rumor that The Strand Theatre is closing or for sale. Vannorsdel said the company’s goal is to “divest” the Creston location.
“We had talked with the city and the chamber and let them know that our focus in the last few years has been to concentrate on some of our bigger locations and some of the smaller, single-screen locations were difficult for us to put the resources in to,” said Vannorsdel.
“We’re in initial discussions with a few different people,” said Gabe Carroll, Creston mayor. “If the movie theatre wants to sell, we will help them find a buyer and keep it open locally.”
Vannorsdel’s hope is to have the The Strand Theatre location transferred to new owners by September, but ensures it will remain open in the interim.
“We’re looking to do a transfer at sometime in September but with all that is going on, it might make it a lot more difficult for that to happen,” he said.
Vannorsdel said there were rumors that, since the theatre was closed, it might not open back up.
“I don’t think that’s fair to the community,” said Vannorsdel. “The community has been so awesome in supporting our curbside to-go program ... They supported us so much, so ... in the meantime, Fridley Theatres will continue running it and there will be no further interruptions.”