The beloved Pickwick Theatre in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge is up for sale, which has generated interest from several potential buyers. Michael Phillips, the long-time film critic at the Chicago Tribune, poses this interesting question about the sale: if the theatre business is dying, why is anyone interested in buying The Pickwick?
Two local operators who have expressed interest are Chris Johnson from Classic Cinemas and Brian Andreotti from the Music Box Theatre. Classic Cinemas is a Midwest-based chain with 16 locations and the Music Box Theatre is another Chicago movie house that has operated continuously since it was opened in 1929.
Both Johnson and Andreotti explain that the doom-and-gloom headlines about the difficulties of the theatre business are overblown. After two difficult years during the pandemic, 2022 was one of the best years ever for the Music Box Theatre. Andreotti attributes the rebound to intelligent programming, which included expanding the types of movies they screen.
For example, they showed THE NORTHMAN last year, a film that they would not have shown before the pandemic because it was a wide release that also played in suburban cineplexes. However, Andreotti decided that THE NORTHMAN would be interesting to his audience because it was directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Robert Eggers. It became one of the highest-grossing films of the year at the Music Box.
Classic Cinemas is developing a talent for rehabbing classic theatres, having recently completed a glorious renovation at the LaGrange Theatre in LaGrange, IL. The upgrade includes refreshing the classic design and adding modern amenities to provide moviegoers with a uniquely entertaining and enjoyable experience.