The parking lot was full, bartenders were pouring drinks to patrons lined up at the bar, and the buttery smell of popcorn once again wafted through the theater.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Richardson is the first of five North Texas movie theaters to reopen this month after abruptly closing earlier this summer.
The popular Austin-born movie theater chain bought the theaters back following those closures and outcry from longtime theatergoers like Rihanna Anglin, 40, of Dallas, who said she was devastated when she heard the news that all five theaters would be closing.
“I never cried when the store closed,” Anglin said. “I was sad, but this time, I was like, this is my place, this is where I come when I want to take a break from life.”
Two is One, One is None, LLC, the franchise company that operated the North Texas theaters, filed for bankruptcy in June, resulting in theaters in Richardson, Lake Highlands, Cedars, Denton and Las Colinas all being forced to close.
Franchisees cited declining attendance, franchise fees and contracts to keep unprofitable locations open as reasons for closing the theaters. Staff were unsure if they would be able to return to work.
But last month, Alamo Drafthouse hinted that it would eventually return to North Texas, and avid movie fans like Anglin, who are loyal to the Austin-based theater chain, were early to the Richardson store’s reopening.
Torwani Osibamowo
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Kera
Anglin came to see the recent release of “Borderlands,” but said what he most appreciates about Alamo Drafthouse is its focus on movies that are outside the mainstream.
“You’re going to see homages to old movies,” she says, “and you’re going to see things you’ve never seen before on the big screen. You’re also going to get a chance to see independent and foreign films that you wouldn’t get at the big chains.”
But it’s not just about movies, said Taylor Smith, field marketing manager for Alamo Drafthouse DFW.
“We host special events and attract people who are really passionate about what we do, and we’ve seen them form their own community inside Alamo Drafthouse,” Smith said.
One of them is Randy Sims, 59, of Allen, who frequented the Alamo Drafthouse and made friends in the North Texas film community. He worries that Sony Pictures’ purchase of the theater will mean big changes, but he also thinks the deal could bode well for the Alamo Drafthouse’s survival.
“I’m a little nervous about what the corporations are going to do with this theater that was Austin’s local theater, but I hope they don’t get too worked up and let the people who made the Alamo what it is keep it that way,” he said.
For the first two weeks after Alamo Drafthouse locations reopen, movie tickets will be $5 and select food and drink items, excluding alcohol, will be 25% off.
Here are opening times for other Alamo Drafthouse locations in North Texas
Alamo Drafthouse Lake Highlands – August 13Alamo Drafthouse Cedars – August 16Alamo Drafthouse Denton – August 20Alamo Drafthouse Las Colinas – August 23
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