Cinema remains open while property put up for sale

By Alberto Gilman
Posted 3/15/22

Showtime Cinemas in the Town of Newburgh is not closing at this time but the property is actively being sold by the landlord for possible development.

Showtime Cinemas is owned by Christopher …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Cinema remains open while property put up for sale

Posted

Showtime Cinemas in the Town of Newburgh is not closing at this time but the property is actively being sold by the landlord for possible development.

Showtime Cinemas is owned by Christopher Bistor and is located at 1420 New State Route 300 in the Town of Newburgh. The building that is leased by Showtimes Cinemas is owned by Sam Newburgh LLC.

According to Bistor, the property has been on the market for several years and the site was proposed for possible construction of a new storage facility.

Bistor had made the public aware of this development through a Facebook posting that went out from the Showtime Cinemas page last Friday.

“As of now there is no closure date, we are actively open for business and are planning to continue operations,” Bistor said. “Once we learn more, from the business standpoint, we would let our customers know”.

With learning about the potential sale of the property, Bistor said that there have been discussions about finding a facility to operate out of or the possibility to construct a new facility. Bistor’s hope is to stay within the Town of Newburgh.

In November 2003, Showtime Cinemas first opened its doors in November 2003 which is also when Bistor started working there.

In January 2020, Bistor officially took ownership of the business. Then in March 2020, the business closed and remained closed till June 2021.

With COVID-19 mask restrictions easing and the return of customers, Bistor remembered facing the challenges of running this theater during an on-going pandemic.

“It was not an easy two and a half years to say the least,” Bistor said. “We’re still feeling the repercussions from COVID in this industry. It is not done just yet.”

In order to make up for lost revenue, Bistor said he took on a second job to help with expenses and costs of the business.

Showtime Cinemas also offered drive through food sales, offered a drive-in option for customers and offered private shows for purchase.

Local community members and the local school district continued to offer their support during that period of time.

According to Bistor, a source of funding that helped his business and other performing arts businesses alike was the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant [SVOG] from the U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA].

Showtime Cinemas received over $1.5 million in grant aid to which Bistor said was used for paying lease and operating expenses.

According to the SBA, SVOG is a federal program that provides emergency aid to performing arts businesses.

These businesses affected by the pandemic had to submit applications and if eligible, received aid. Over $16 billion was administered by SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance to various businesses and venues across the country.

As the days move forward, Bistor asks the community and town residents to continue supporting the business and small business in general. “Continue to support us when do you go to the movies,” Bistor said.