Bringing back the big screen

Since Creston’s movie theater closed in late 2020, residents have had to travel to Greenfield, Corning or farther locations to catch a film. However, Nick Foltz, Sabrena Utley-Giza and Kailee Rochford are working to change that, with the hopes of opening the Strand Theatre next spring.

In order to get the theater up and running again, a number of things have to be done.

“We need to get an electrician in and make sure that all of electrical is good to go,” Utley-Giza said. “Then there’s getting the projector up and running and making sure the screen is still good and intact, and then we will tackle the sound system. It sounds like some of the speakers had dust or something in them, so we’re getting someone in to clean those.”

In addition, the team is applying to get newly released movies and is looking for staff.

“If there’s no huge major hiccups, we’re hoping that in a couple months we can get it open,” Utley-Giza said.

She explained that after Foltz realized how close the theater was to opening, he decided to jump forward in the project, asking Utley-Giza and Rochford to help.

“I started out helping Nick on his property management with his building and he asked if I would be interest in helping him get the theater up and running,” Utley-Giza said. “We also have Kailee who is helping us get the popcorn ordered and the candy order and getting the inventory ready.”

As they work on fixing things up, Utley-Giza said there will be a few new additions to the theater as well.

“On each side there are about five sort of cubby things with more comfortable seating,” Utley-Giza said. “There’s been new paint. We hope to eventually upgrade all the seating. For now we’re leaving the seating as is just so that way we can get people in to enjoy movies again.”

Utley-Giza said the theater will fit about 190 people.

Throughout the work to get the theater ready, a number of older items from the theaters past have popped up.

“We have uncovered a lot of the history of the theater,” Utley-Giza said. “There was marble with the old grand beauty shop, glass that we’ve uncovered that we’re going to leave open, as well as an old projector that was there way back in the day that we’ll have on display. We’re going to have old photos that are going to be in the countertops that people will be able to look at as well.”

A number of concessions will be available, including the traditional popcorn, candy and soda. Foltz is also looking into possibly serving alcoholic beverages and other snacks in the future.

As work continues, Utley-Giza said she’s excited to have the theater available for entertainment again.

“We’re looking forward to getting open and having the community back in to enjoy their movies there,” Utley-Giza said.