Beach Cinema And Alehouse: Petitions Don’t Save Beloved Businesses.

One of my pals texted me last weekend to see if I wanted to go to a movie. There was a time when we went almost weekly, but, like many other film lovers, we got out of the habit when our idiot governor closed movie theaters during covid.

Don’t get me started on Ralph Northam’s reign of terror.

That’s not what we’re here to talk about today.

“Black Bag” looks good,” she texted.

I checked. A spy film, starring Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender? Yes!

“I know it’s a tired theater, but let’s support the Beach Cinema and Alehouse. It may be closing.” I replied.

“Save the Cinema!” she shot back.

Worried that front-page news about the possible sale of the 34-year-old oceanfront movie complex (historic, by Virginia Beach standards) might mean massive crowds, I hopped online first thing Saturday morning to reserve tickets.

I needn’t have fretted.

There were just two other reserved seats in the entire theater.

TWO.

By the time the lights dimmed Saturday night for this new release, there may have been 15 or so others in the audience.

Folks, this is pitiful. No wonder the owners are about to throw in the beach towel.

Like many locals, I have warm memories of taking my kids and their friends to the convenient complex on Laskin Road in the 1990s (when I had to smuggle in wine in my purse). The parking lot was always jammed.

In later years, it was our go-to couples spot on Friday nights, especially after new management introduced surprisingly good food and cocktails.

Even though the complex is, as I conceded to my pal, a bit tired today and the seats don’t recline, there’s something cozy about the undersized theater that employs 40 people.

I’m not alone in my affection for the little multiplex. Facebook is full of outrage about the demise of the complex.

A Change.org petition to save the Beach Cinema and Alehouse has 1,974 signatures.

How nice.

But signatures and Facebook gripes can’t save a struggling business.

The Ascent Church on Shore Drive is hungrily eyeing the 4-acre site, according to news reports.

Please, no.

Not only would a mega church create a traffic nightmare in an already congested area, but this is prime commercial real estate less than a mile from the ocean. Taking it off the tax rolls would only increase the burden on Beach residents.

Lord knows, our city can’t stop spending our money. Wave park, anyone?

Planning commission approval is needed for the change and a decision on the future of the property will come next month.

If enough angry people flood city officials with opposition we may be able to block this deal.

But the cinema will still be in danger of closing.

Here’s a thought: Instead of signing petitions, locals ought to buy tickets and get their derrieres in the seats. Pack the place.

If the owners were making money, they wouldn’t be dumping the cinema.

It’s lovely to feel sentimental about a local business. But shame on everyone who signed a petition but didn’t get off the couch to buy a movie ticket.