Pleasant St. Theater to remain open

[spatch]

For those Happy Valley ex-pats who remember my news a few months back about the Pleasant St. in Northampton closing, I'm pleased to report that it won't. In an interesting twist, however, the Amherst Cinema Center will assume ownership of the theater in a deal reached with the new building owner (and funded thanks to a large fundraising drive, apparently.) This after the old owner cited competition from the Amherst Cinema as reason for not wanting to continue the theater business.

If you can't beat em, join em, huh?

Anyway, that's my warm fuzzy news for today.

Comments

[kalibex.livejournal.com]

One of my 2 bros & sister-in-law live in Northampton these days, so I'll be seeing them a little more often, soon's I relocate... OH THE IRONY.

I'll have to check out that theater.

GIP courtesy of one little section of a photo from my dad's middle school past, digitized by me last night.

[muse0fire.livejournal.com]

Good to hear! My parents in NoHo will be most relieved.

[minkrose]

Hoooray! As a Happy Valley New-Pat, I am super happy to hear this. I was trying to figure out how to go, as I have worked all of my days off this month (except Arisia), so like has been nuts.

Anyway, thanks for some good news!

[modpixie.livejournal.com]

is the amherst theatre the one that was being re-done as a performing arts center? this was back in 2002, IIRC...

[alphacygni]

Barry Roberts, the guy who financially spearheaded the Amherst Cinema, appears to be a good local guy who wants to do good by the locals. If he's in on supporting the Pleasant, I have high hopes that all will be well.

[spatch]

That's the one. I grew up around that theater and always remember it as a shabby, yet endearing, cinema (it had a purple neon clock on the side wall just like the Brattle.) I saw Casablanca for the first time there. In the old auditorium, at least. I haven't been back to see the new place but I'm not so sure if I'd want to.