Theater management, moviegoers thrilled over return of Kearney Cinema 8
After a storm destroyed five auditoriums, more than $4 million in repairs and renovations have Kearney Cinema 8 sporting fresh screens, speakers and more.
By News Channel NebraskaKEARNEY, Neb. — It’s a story told many times at the movie theater. A character faces repeated obstacles only to overcome the odds and triumph.
The familiar plot has played out again, only this time the character is the theater itself.
“If we were to give up, we would be defeated. Our country’s been through a lot, we’ve been through a lot, a lot of people have been through a lot, but you can’t give up,” General Manager Bobby Wilson said.
For Wilson and Kearney Cinema 8, the first blow came on July 9, 2019. A once-in-a-100-years flood consumed the building, causing extensive damage. A year later, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down theaters across the nation. The third blow landed two years to the date after the flood.
“We had our single biggest recovery day, biggest day of business since COVID. Then, at the end of the night, we had a terrible storm and it tore our roof completely off and we’ve been closed down for 20 months now,” Wilson said.
On Monday, the doors opened again, the popcorn popped, and moviegoers eagerly found their seats.
Frequent customers are excited to be back.
“Oh, so exciting. My daughters have been waiting forever to come back to this theater,” Chestney Miller said. “Even when I was a teenager, this was what we came to. My kids, of course, I always have to make a point to bring my kids to where I went.”
The 2021 storm destroyed five auditoriums and damaged the other three. More than $4 million in repairs and renovations have Kearney Cinema 8 sporting fresh screens, speakers and more.
“New carpet, new everything," Wilson said. "Seats, steps, new ceiling tiles, new curtains, new lighting, all the lighting is brand new.”
But it’s not what’s new at the theater that brings a smile to Wilson’s face. It’s the familiar feeling of community inside.
“Going to a movie theater and enjoying a movie together, even with people you don’t know, it’s just being there," Wilson said. "There’s nothing like the popcorn, the big screen to bring people together.”