An independent sit-down movie theater and drive-in theater in Athens is suffering through the pandemic restrictions
We've never gone through before.
Industries have been shutting down in waves here in alabama for the past month.
One of the first to close its doors was the movie theater business.
Waay 31's will robinson-smith is live outside of the a-m-c in jones valley.
He spoke with theater owners and residents about what a return to the movies might look like.
Movie theaters like amc were struggling even before the coronavirus pandemic.
But from large chains down to independent theaters there is plenty of concern how things will look on the other side of the outbreak.
A sparse movie theater parking lot is not terribly uncommon for a wednesday afternoon.
But this -- a row of empty movie theater frames -- more aptly paints the picture for this industry.
Ralph freehauf has owned the independent cinemagic theater in athens since 2006 and the drive-in beside it for several more years.
He says it's eerie to have the theater so quiet.
Ralph freehauf, co-owner, cinemagic theater people have left notes on our door, 'please, please, don't close up.
I know you're closed right now, but please don't stay closed.
No one knows for sure when movie theaters will re-open.
Freehauf says movie studios are already holding back big releases until at least july, which is a big hit to theaters.
Ralph freehauf, co-owner, cinemagic theater and two weeks later is going to be school starting.
And so that's going to kill our summer.
Movie theaters traditionally make most of their money, two thirds of their money, during the summer months, during thanksgiving holidays and christmas holidays.
Will robinson-smith even though the cinemagic's drive-in theater is set up in a way where cars can remain six-feet apart, freehauf was still told by the alabama department of public health that this part of the theater still had to close as well.
Freehauf's philosophy about the movie going experience is in the title of the theater -- magic.
He's confident that once they can reopen -- people will come.
Ralph freehauf, co-owner, cinemagic theater we're keeping everything ready to go so that we're ready the moment we can open.
However, folks we spoke with say they won't necessarily be rushing back anytime soon.
Jada reynolds, huntsville resident let's say they open back up in may, maybe june or july.
Diana & liza slobogska, 5th graders a theater is a place where there's a lot of people that come to watch movies, so i think people will be scared because it's a crowded place.
Freehauf tells me he bought masks and hand sanitizer for guests and employees before they had to shut down.
He says it's important for movie theaters to make people feel safe so that they're willing to come back.
Reporting live in south huntsville, will robinson-smith, waay
Bankruptcy could be in AMC's future. The world's largest movie theater chain was struggling even before the outbreak.