Pandemic related permanent closures

[Clipper]

Are there a lot of permanent closures being announced in the Utica/Rome area? Businesses that don't intend to reopen?

It is becoming a daily event to pick up the paper and read about another restaurant or retail business that is closing. In our newest retail development area, the Pinnacle, there have been several national retailers that have decided not to reopen their stores there. Yesterday Cinemark announced that they will not reopen their Tinsel Town Cinema complex. It is a 12 screen theater just off exit 7 in Virginia, located right in the heart of a retail district where there are hotels and restaurants around it on all sides. It has always been fairly busy with the parking lot relatively full in the evenings and on weekends. There is a new cinema at the Pinnacle with all the latest amenities, huge well spaced reclining seats with cup holders, a gangbuster sound system, and laws that allow for beer or wine to be sold at the concession stand. Virginia does not allow alcohol to be sold in a theater, and Tinsel Town, while it was state of the art prior to the new theater at the Pinnacle opening, it is no longer the epitome of high tech entertainment venues. It is just sad to see such a large complex, not really suited to any other use that is going to be sitting vacant or will be torn down.

[clarencebunsen]

I have not seen announcements of permanent closings here but it would not surprise me. Restaurants in particular are vulnerable. Target and Walmart will survive but I wonder about smaller retailers. I was at the Liquor Loft in the Kellogg Mall yesterday to get some wine. I spent some time talking to the cashier. I was the only customer and I think she just wanted someone to talk to.

[Clipper]

wcyb.com/news/local/online-petition-to-keep-tinseltown-in-bristol-open-launched

I wish them luck. I doubt that if corporate headquarters has analyzed the financial data that they are going to make any change based on a petition from local customers. Within a 20 mile or so radius there are three more modern and technically advanced theaters with all the latest amenities. One in Bristol, one in Johnson City, and one in Kingsport. If this one were to survive it would need to be brought up to a level where it could compete with the others.

The sad fact is that it has most likely fallen victim to a premature obsolescence.

[clarencebunsen]

Signing a petition means nothing. People buying tickets is what counts. Concession sales is where they make their profits.

[Clipper]

It doesn't surprise me that they make most of their money off of concession sales. The last time I was at a theater it was at the new high tech theater I mentioned above. I was standing in the lobby waiting for my brother and sister to show up and happened to notice the menu board for the concession stand. TEN DOLLARS FOR A LARGE BUCKET OF POPCORN??? Wow.

I believe there are occasions when a petition might carry some weight, such as in the case of people signing petitions for or against a zoning change, but in this case I doubt it very much. They are making a decision based on revenue and when they close the theater they will be gone from Bristol so I doubt that they give a damn about public opinion or desire.