Garrettsville – April 26, 2019 was 31 years in the making. It was the first day the Garrettsville Cinema opened under the new co-ownership of Rodger Evans and Michele Blair.
The movie theater at 8001 State Street in Garfield Plaza has been a community hotspot since it first opened in 1977. Evans first started working as a concessionaire and projectionist in 1988; Blair started in 2004. Both stayed involved with the theater at some level through the years, even after pursuing other careers (Evans at the Mantua Post Office for 21 years and Blair at Hiram College and Robinson Memorial Hospital (now UH).
It was their passion for movies and for the people who come to see them that kept Blair and Evans in the wings of the theater. Nearly five years ago, they were in negotiations to purchase the entertainment business when former owner TBE put it up for sale. However, terms of purchase weren’t ideal at that time, so Justin Dlugokecki took ownership of the Garrettsville Cinema (as well as franchised theaters in Andover and Painesville) until early 2019. This time, conditions for Blair and Evans were just right and they purchased just the Garrettsville Cinema, now legally known as Galaxy Cinema, LLC . Blair and Evans lease the theater space from Roger Angel, who owns the building.
After painting walls; laying new carpet; upgrading the concessions counter; installing new popcorn, soda and nacho machines; stocking $1 candy and renovating the bathrooms, they reopened with a bang on April 26. With “Avengers III -End Game” playing in each of the three theaters, they were sold out for the entire run.
Evans and Blair plan to continue making improvements at Garrettsville Cinema, including installation of reclining seats in a portion of the three-screen theater. Additional fixes will be made to screen curtains and other aesthetic details. A new roof and LED lights for exterior signage will also be coming soon.
Calling the movie house “a piece of my heart” and “our home away from home,” Blair expressed what a joy it is to help couples enjoy date night, retirees and grandkids take in the matinees, and children celebrate birthdays. “It’s nice to be able to give people entertainment options that get them out of the house and off their phones for a while!”
In fact, Blair says her children, Shawn and Sarah, essentially grew up at Garrettsville Cinema and now help out with operations. Shawn, for instance, is the new projectionist and IT technician.
Starting in June, Garrettsville Cinema will be open every day of the week (it’s currently closed on Mondays). Typically, it opens around 12:30 for the 1pm matinees, then shows three different films at 3, 5 and 7pm, depending on runtime length. Ticket prices before 6pm are $5; $6 after 6pm.
Keep up with the latest by calling (330) 527-0888, checking out the new website at galaxycinema3.wixsite.com/website or following Garrettsville Cinema’s Facebook page.
