Story and photos by JOHN ANDERSON
During an efficient meeting with several realistic ideas, a large crowd in the David A. Howe Library Monday Club room made it clear they want to see the movie theater on Main Street in Wellsville open back up.
The meeting went so well, a second meeting has been scheduled that includes a tour of the Grand Theatre at 144 North Main Street.
Make no mistake, whether it’s nostalgia or the need for entertainment, residents want the theater. One person said, “I’ve been going through withdrawals for years.” Two young adults said their generation wants movies and explained that watching a movie in the theater is a much different experience than watching short clips on social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok.
A Wellsville Sun poll in 2023 showed 66.6 percent of readers would like to see a multi-use entertainment venue. Only seven percent wanted to see a different business and five percent wanted housing. That seemed in line with the sentiment on Tuesday night at the meeting.
HOW THE MEETING HAPPENED
A resident of Wellsville approached Wellsville Mayor Randy Shayler about getting ideas on the movie theater, which closed by the start of 2023. It was purchased by the Village of Wellsville before it went up to public auction for three years owed on back taxes. The village used a legal option to purchase the property from Allegany County and remove it from the public auction. The county legislature approved the purchase on March 22, 2023.
Village Trustee Jeff Monroe helped facilitate the public meeting, which was also attended by Village Trustee Michael Roeske. Monroe kept the meeting to under an hour and many in the audience had a chance to voice their opinion and ask questions.
CAN SCOTT AND TAMI TREUTLEIN HELP?
Before Scott and Tami Treutlein got into the movie theater business, the two were known as a doctor and speech language pathologist. Armed with ideas and a love of movie theaters, the couple purchased the movie theater in Warsaw for back taxes in 2013.
After renovations in 2015, the theater was thriving. From new movies to classics like the Rocky Horror Picture Show at Halloween, the theater was part of a main street revival. The Chamber of Commerce awards started rolling in.
The Treutlein’s kept movie magic alive in Hornell with the purchase of the Spotlight Theater in Hornell in 2014. Then, they purchased the six-screen theater in Corning and expanded it eight screens (also renamed the Spotlight Theater). From there, they opened an eight-screen theater in Hudson.
Monroe said, “So I guess the question is, if we are united and realize we have a gem, which we do, do we get them to come to our theater and look at it? Give us suggestions. How did they go about re-opening theaters?”
One man in the audience said, “That was me. I devoted 20 years of my life to that theater. I’m here (at the meeting). If you don’t want me or my advice, fine. If you want to go down that avenue, I’m the one you want to consult. I’ve been doing this since I was 17. I’m not telling you what to do, but I know what I’m talking about.”
Enter Darren Jones.
FORMER THEATER OWNER SPEAKS
Darren Jones purchased the former Lin-Ray Theater (Grand Theatre) from Linda and Ray Hunt for $94,000 in 2004.
Jones explained when the government forced the theater to close on March 16, 2020 because of the COVID pandemic, he wasn’t able to open again until June of 2021. And that was with heavy regulations. He said he was trying to pay back three years of back taxes but the government wanted all of the money at once.
He said the major movie studios receive 90 percent of your take on tickets when you show a movie.
The ground floor theater seats 200 and there is a smaller theater upstairs with a stage before the screen. The Babcock Theatre opened in 1886 and had room to seat 850.
Jones said he made a major financial investment in 2012 to purchase equipment to digitize the movies. He also said he purchased new sound equipment.
He made it clear he is still in possession of both and would be willing to sell them. He said they are customized for the theater in Wellsville. But Jones also said he was not at the meeting to make money, rather raise awareness and answer questions.
He did both.
IDEAS AND ANSWERS
As residents spoke up with ideas to Monroe, Jones had answers.
One person asked about a retractable screen in the downstairs theater to showcase the stage. Jones said he ran out of money doing renovations, but that was part of his ideas.
Another idea was to have businesses sponsor a movie night. A resident gave examples of this happening in other communities where the business is featured on the marquee and the movie it’s free for the public. The owner, or village, then charges for food.
Jones countered, “It’s not feasible if you are doing new releases.”
Another resident said get into the reclining seats and the better panoramic view than Netflix.
Jones said those seats would cost $80,000.
It was asked if it’s possible to show the classics on a regular basis?
Jones said it’s very easy to do with a DVD but that’s illegal and added, “To do that legally, it’s $500 to do, so that’s the revenue you need to get back.”
Someone asked about grant money.
Jones said he applied for 27 grants from county to state and was denied. Monroe mentioned the $4.5 million from the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative that was recently awarded in the village to businesses and individuals did not include the movie theater. The theater was one of the many denied by the state.
There was discussion on how the village picked up ownership. A lot of rumors were dispelled by Monroe. With the village owning the theater, village crews have been able to make sure the lights and water are working and the structure remains intact.
Someone asked if it would be feasible to have a live music and performance venue on one side and movies the other? It was mentioned the Wellsville Development Corporation (WDC) holds a successful comedy show and murder mystery dinner each year.
Monroe said, “This is meeting number one. We need to look at everything.” He said that was a good idea because, “There is lighting behind the screen, there are curtains … this theater is a gem.”
Monroe was asked what if someone came to the village with cash and said ‘I want to buy it?’
Monroe said, “If the right person came forward — and I’m speaking for the village — we want it to be a theater. If someone came in with a boatload of money and said they want it to be a restaurant, we may not do that.”
It was brought up that the Treutlein’s have the same seats in Hornell and “they are making it work with one person in place taking tickets, serving popcorn and starting the movie.” The seats at the Wellsville theater were mentioned as being more comfortable.
The idea of selling alcohol was brought up, something theaters are doing. You can order full meals and drinks from your seat or at the counter.
Jones said he didn’t want that because he didn’t want the liability. He said it’s a child and family theater.
Another theater in Pennsylvania is run as a non-profit. It was suggested to dig into that and talk to them. Someone else said The Little Theater in Rochester is also non-profit and they have sponsorships available to keep the doors open.
WHAT’S NEXT
The next meeting is August 27 at 6 p.m. at the library Monday Club room. After the meeting, anyone in attendance can take a tour of the movie theater.
Monroe said the electric is on, but it is dark and to bring a flashlight.
Jones added, “Not to toot my own horn but I’m the man who knows more than anyone, other than (the late Ray Hunt). I have the equipment. The equipment has to be customized. The sound system has to be customized, I have it all.”
Monroe said “after the meeting I’d like you to get back with us and talk. We would like you to use your knowledge.”
Jones said “over the years I’ve left messages and no one has contacted me. I’m not here for personal gain. But this was taken from me. I was shut down. They wouldn’t let me pay my taxes, they gave me one year to pay three years.”
Jones added, “It’s better to work with independent studios. The problem is, would the town come out to see those movies?”
Wellsville resident Peggy Dixon then brought the conversation back to why everyone was there.
“My first movie was Pinocchio in 1968,” she said. “Going to the theater is home.”
