The Show Must Go On: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Will Reopen in North Texas This Summer

Staff Reports

Almost every Texan has a good memory of dressing up to catch a nostalgic flick or seeing a premiere with themed cocktails at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, so we were crushed by the news that the iconic theater was closing its doors.

But just three weeks after the announcement that the Austin-based company was shuttering its D-FW locations, all was forgiven, as Alamo Drafthouse announced Thursday it would reopen its five local theaters in Richardson, Las Colinas, Lake Highlands, Dallas, and Denton.

The cinema chain will now own and operate the local entertainment venues, which will reopen this summer, The Dallas Morning News reported last week.

“We were heartbroken to hear about the franchisee’s decision to close their locations in Dallas-Fort Worth and Woodbury, Minn., but we immediately got to work to acquire these as Alamo Drafthouse-owned locations,” Alamo Drafthouse CEO Michael Kustermann said in a statement to media. “We’re so excited to reestablish Alamo Drafthouse Cinema for our teammates and local film communities in these great cities during an incredibly successful summer of moviegoing.”.

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Invites Employees, Patrons to Come Back

According to reports, the franchise group that operated the local cinemas filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, citing economic woes due to an industrywide decline in theatergoing and a contractual obligation that made them keep “even the most unprofitable locations” open.

Less than a week later, Sony Pictures Entertainment acquired Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, which is now managed under a newly established division, Sony Pictures Experiences, headed by Kustermann, the DMN reports.

Former employees will be “made whole” for lost wages that they were owed prior to the closure and get first access to interviews for open positions.

On the consumer side, Season Pass subscribers will receive a free month of service upon reactivating their accounts. Theatergoers who are owed refunds will have access to free ticket vouchers.