The future of the GTheatre
Donation protected
Hi, we're Jen and David, and we run one of the few single-screen movie theatres around, The Grandview Theatre in Columbus, Ohio.
The Grandview Theatre opened in 1926, making it the oldest theatre still operating in the county, and one of the five oldest in the state of Ohio. Originally a silent theatre, the Grandview was on the verge of closing in 2008 when we decided to not let one more neighborhood theatre disappear forever!
The walls were mustard yellow with coffee brown carpet in the lobby, with the auditiorium clothed in tattered and dusty sea-foam green fabric. The once beautiful plaster work was crumbling. The ceiling had lost big chunks and the rain was getting in.
Everything had to be ripped out, the carpet, fabric, and seats. Once the masonry beneath the wall hangings were revealed, you could see the original fleur-de-lis painted on plaster!
New insulation and wall fabrics, as well as carpet and seats were installed. The restrooms were enlarged to ADA standards and the theatre sound system was overhauled.
New equipment was needed at the concession stand and in the projection booth. After 22 hours spent cleaning the old popcorn popper, running it for the first time made an arc that ruined it. David cleaned and re-built the sole film projector, maintaining it until a second film projector could be added.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
One of the last independent movie theatres in central Ohio, we are proud to host many first and exclusive events. Grandview Theatre was the first in Ohio to host the Manhattan Short Film Festival, the return of Nite Owl Theatre with Fritz "The Nite Owl", the only theatre in Columbus to host actor/director Crispin Glover, and one of only six theatres in the state to feature The Interview.
We've showcased independent filmmakers from all over the midwest region and California. We've had people purchase plane tickets to attend our events. We very active in the neighborhood; Jen and David conduct field trips every year for the local schools, featuring a tour of the projection booth, the economics of running a small business, and participate in all-arts day.
Jen and Dave have had to face a great deal in addition to the usual business hurdles. So far we've overcome a bank pulling out of financing in the middle of construction, a flood (estimated 22,000 gallons of water), mechanical failure, a serious and extremely costly error on the part of one of our professional service providers, and the BIGGEST challenge to date, the digital projection upgrade.
Dave and Jen both work full-time jobs in addition to working at the theatre. After Dave suffered a heart attack, he has had to cut back on the long hours and heavy lifting during physical therapy. Sadly the costs to maintain and operate the theatre are multiplying faster than we can keep up. We're asking for your help during this difficult time.
Thank you. Note that your gift is not tax deductible.
The Grandview Theatre opened in 1926, making it the oldest theatre still operating in the county, and one of the five oldest in the state of Ohio. Originally a silent theatre, the Grandview was on the verge of closing in 2008 when we decided to not let one more neighborhood theatre disappear forever!
The walls were mustard yellow with coffee brown carpet in the lobby, with the auditiorium clothed in tattered and dusty sea-foam green fabric. The once beautiful plaster work was crumbling. The ceiling had lost big chunks and the rain was getting in.
Everything had to be ripped out, the carpet, fabric, and seats. Once the masonry beneath the wall hangings were revealed, you could see the original fleur-de-lis painted on plaster!
New insulation and wall fabrics, as well as carpet and seats were installed. The restrooms were enlarged to ADA standards and the theatre sound system was overhauled.
New equipment was needed at the concession stand and in the projection booth. After 22 hours spent cleaning the old popcorn popper, running it for the first time made an arc that ruined it. David cleaned and re-built the sole film projector, maintaining it until a second film projector could be added.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
One of the last independent movie theatres in central Ohio, we are proud to host many first and exclusive events. Grandview Theatre was the first in Ohio to host the Manhattan Short Film Festival, the return of Nite Owl Theatre with Fritz "The Nite Owl", the only theatre in Columbus to host actor/director Crispin Glover, and one of only six theatres in the state to feature The Interview.
We've showcased independent filmmakers from all over the midwest region and California. We've had people purchase plane tickets to attend our events. We very active in the neighborhood; Jen and David conduct field trips every year for the local schools, featuring a tour of the projection booth, the economics of running a small business, and participate in all-arts day.
Jen and Dave have had to face a great deal in addition to the usual business hurdles. So far we've overcome a bank pulling out of financing in the middle of construction, a flood (estimated 22,000 gallons of water), mechanical failure, a serious and extremely costly error on the part of one of our professional service providers, and the BIGGEST challenge to date, the digital projection upgrade.
Dave and Jen both work full-time jobs in addition to working at the theatre. After Dave suffered a heart attack, he has had to cut back on the long hours and heavy lifting during physical therapy. Sadly the costs to maintain and operate the theatre are multiplying faster than we can keep up. We're asking for your help during this difficult time.
Thank you. Note that your gift is not tax deductible.
Organizer
David Nedrow
Organizer
Columbus, OH