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Cinema shuts down
  
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By Paul Crossman
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
Signs on the doors of the Movieplex 8 in Greenport proclaimed the theater “temporarily closed until further notice,” on Tuesday, and employees were reportedly told on Monday not to report to work the following day.
Though the signs on the theater say that the closure is “temporary,” Cinema North, the company which owns the local Movieplex as well as others in Vermont and Massachusetts, has completely removed all the information from their Web site, and cannot be reached on the phone.
The number for local theater only reaches a recorded message echoing the sentiments of the sign, but no further information.
When called, several other theater locations owned by the company answer only with a message very similar to Greenport’s, saying that they are sorry for the inconvenience, and are closed until further notice.
The Movieplex itself is located at 350 Fairview avenue in Greenport, and has not only been a source of both part time and full time employment for several local residents, but an entertainment staple for the entire community.
Cinema North, the theater’s parent company founded in 1983 by Gerald L. Couture Jr. of Rutland, Vermont, is no stranger to financial difficulties. The corporation had several of its locations in Vermont temporarily shut down in early 2008 due to them being found operating without a license to collect state meals, sales, and use taxes. They eventually rectified the situation and the theaters were allowed to reopen.
Also in Vermont, the owner of one the theater locations initiated eviction proceedings against the company for owing $102,741 in back rent, penalties and interest, as well as an additional $27,117 for checks that were allegedly returned for insufficient funds.
No one at either the Hudson Movieplex location, or the Cinema North central offices could be reached for comment as to whether or not financial troubles were, in fact, the cause of this more recent string of closings, and no information is currently available regarding whether or not the theater chain will re-open any or all of the locations, or how long the process might take if they choose to do so.
***
To reach reporter Paul Crossman call 518-828-1616, ext. 2266, or e-mail pcrossman@registerstar.com.
Though the signs on the theater say that the closure is “temporary,” Cinema North, the company which owns the local Movieplex as well as others in Vermont and Massachusetts, has completely removed all the information from their Web site, and cannot be reached on the phone.
The number for local theater only reaches a recorded message echoing the sentiments of the sign, but no further information.
When called, several other theater locations owned by the company answer only with a message very similar to Greenport’s, saying that they are sorry for the inconvenience, and are closed until further notice.
The Movieplex itself is located at 350 Fairview avenue in Greenport, and has not only been a source of both part time and full time employment for several local residents, but an entertainment staple for the entire community.
Cinema North, the theater’s parent company founded in 1983 by Gerald L. Couture Jr. of Rutland, Vermont, is no stranger to financial difficulties. The corporation had several of its locations in Vermont temporarily shut down in early 2008 due to them being found operating without a license to collect state meals, sales, and use taxes. They eventually rectified the situation and the theaters were allowed to reopen.
Also in Vermont, the owner of one the theater locations initiated eviction proceedings against the company for owing $102,741 in back rent, penalties and interest, as well as an additional $27,117 for checks that were allegedly returned for insufficient funds.
No one at either the Hudson Movieplex location, or the Cinema North central offices could be reached for comment as to whether or not financial troubles were, in fact, the cause of this more recent string of closings, and no information is currently available regarding whether or not the theater chain will re-open any or all of the locations, or how long the process might take if they choose to do so.
***
To reach reporter Paul Crossman call 518-828-1616, ext. 2266, or e-mail pcrossman@registerstar.com.
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