Conneaut’s cinema is back in business

By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com

November 18, 2008 07:57 pm

— CONNEAUT — The show will go on at the Conneaut Plaza Theatre, thanks to new owners Christopher and Gretchen Joslin.
The couple now owns the twin-screen cinema, which went dark in early September. The movie house, boasting some improvements, marks its return on Friday.
The Joslins have spent weeks overhauling the theater, which opened in 1979. Customers will discover new car-
peting and paint and a revamped counter, Christopher Joslin said. Also, the two screens have been cleaned professionally, he said.
“We gave it a pretty good face-lift,” Joslin said.
The biggest change may be found at the concession stand. In addition to the traditional theater fare, the Joslins will feature hot dogs, nachos, along with pizza and candy from city businesses. By special arrangement, Pizzi Cafe pizza will be baked on the premises and sold by the slice. Homemade sweets from Marianne’s Candy House also will be available.
The expanded menu is meant to help the Conneaut theater stand up to the big-city multiplexes, Joslin said.
“We’re trying to compete with the bigger cinemas,” he said.
The Joslins decided to revive the theater shortly after news of its closing made headlines. Days after the announcement, the couple sensed the community was genuinely upset that a local landmark was closing it doors. The theater was one of Conneaut’s signature businesses and needed to be salvaged, Christopher Joslin said.
“We’re big Conneaut people,” he said. “We love this little town and its businesses, and the Conneaut Plaza Theatre is one of those businesses.”
The decision to step in was made in just a matter of days, Christopher Joslin said.
“It’s just a timing thing,” he said. “We like movies, and the idea was attractive.”
The couple has been learning how to run the projectors and other technical gear from the former manager, Jim Tobias.
“The previous ownership is working with us,” Christopher Joslin said.
Now for the million-dollar question: Will the theater offer the same legendary popcorn that tickled tastebuds for nearly 30 years? Oh, yes, Joslin said, chuckling.
“That seems to be the big question on everyone’s mind,” he said. “Of course, we are.”
The Joslins obtained the special popcorn recipe developed by former owner Lewis Shiley.
“We’ve got it measured out exactly,” he said.

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