NOW PLAYING - A THEATER NEAR YOUApril 10, 2014 -- After a $1,000,000 renovation that included the installation of new seating, digital projectors, six screens, a concession stand, marquee, arcade, and a children's birthday room, the Glen Cove Cinemas, closed since 2012, officially re-opened Thursday morning. At a ribbon cutting ceremony under the theater's marquee on School Street, Jay Levinson, the cinemas' operator said that he never thought he would open another theater, but fond memories of the old Glen Cove Theater, led him to jump at this opportunity.
Mr. Levinson who also owns the Elwood Theater in East Northport and the Merrick Cinema, and at one time, the Roslyn Movie Theater, before selling it to Clearview Cinemas, was flanked by Glen Cove Mayor Reginald Spinello, County Legislator Delia Deriggi Whitton, State Assemblyman Charles Lavine, and a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, as he cut through the ribbon and officially welcomed the community into the six screen movie hall. Also there were members of the Downtown Business Improvement District and its President and Sea Cliff Village Trustee Elena Villafane, as well as members of the Glen Cove City Council, and the Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce and its president Mary Stanco. Assemblyman Charles Lavine said the re-opening of the theater was "a major triumph for the city. "The theater is integral to the business district - it is going to help our city, it is going to help our stores, it is going to help out town." Quoting Alfred Hitchcock, he added "The movies aren't just a slice of life, they are the icing on the cake." Mayor Spinello said that he "could not be more excited with the ribbon cutting ceremony. When the former movie theater operator closed the doors, it didn't just affect our residents who traveled out of town to see a movie, it devastated a number of our local businesses that relied on the movie traffic. With the re-opening of our new theater, our City continues on the road to be back in business." At Thursday's opening theater goers were treated to free movies, popcorn and soft drinks. Mr. Levinson said that the theater was a work in progress, and that they would be adding to the large room adjoining the concession area a large screen, tables and chairs to watch classic television, as well as tributes to actors, directors and the silver screen in general. In closing, Mr. Levinson assured the audience, "We are going to be here as long as you are going to be here. We look forward to a long long run." BACK TO HOME PAGE |
