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Free popcorn with admission at Grand Lake
posted by
Michael Zoldessy
on
April 19, 2007 at 12:33 pm
OAKLAND, CA — To combat competition and slowness before the summer rush, the Grand Lake Theatre is offering free popcorn with admission during the week.
Owner Allen Michaan came up with the idea to offer a bucket of fresh popcorn — plus seconds — as a way to battle the mega-movie complexes, such as the UA Emerybay 10 in Emeryville.
“It’s getting harder and harder for the old theaters to compete with the megaplexes. They won’t survive unless they are supported by the movie-going community,” Michaan said.
Michaan launched the popcorn experiment last week at the Grand Lake and the Orinda Theater in Orinda.
For all the details, go to the Oakland Tribune.
Comments (4)
I’ve been to both theaters—Their popcorn is quite good!
For those who live in the East Bay (Oakland, Contra Costa County), please support these fine theaters. It is depressing to read that business is suffering because of the big chains (& quite frankly, I prefer the projection quality of both theaters versus Century and Regal). Thanks!
I’m also dismayed that business is down at those theaters, the great Grand Lake in particular. The last I heard (several years ago) is that business was up considerably after Mr. Michaan got an agreement to get the more popular first run films there instead of having them go exclusively to the Jack London Square theater. The free popcorn is indeed a nice bonus and I suspect that audiences aren’t subjected to that godawful pre-show video presentation (a 20 minute parade of dim witted commercials masquerading as entertainment!) that is now another reason to avoid the Regal and Century chains. Century of course used to proudly claim “No Commercials” in their advertising but since they got took over by that other company whose name escapes me, they have also joined “the dark side”. I live in San Leandro but I’ll make more of an effort from now on to attend the Grand Lake and Orinda, with or without the free popcorn!
If we really care about the grand old movie palaces, then we should place ALL of them at the top of our priority list to see a movie.
Living in Long Beach, Ca, I miss the wonderful array of single screen houses in the Bay Area!
My wife and I went out of our way to support these places and wince when reading about another closure or demolition. Dear God, enough is enough.
What about the movie makers who live in the S.F. area… how about Messrs Spielberg and Lucas shelling-out s tax deductible donation to assist in restoration, etc???
As I’ve said before… “Hello, is anyone else out there?”
Well put,Simon.