'It's devastating' Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove to remain closed, while others reopen Friday

DOWNERS GROVE – An unexpected curveball from the state will keep one of the area's most iconic theaters closed for the time being.

While other movie theaters are reopening June 26 when the state moves into Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove announced June 22 that it will remain closed.

That decision comes after Phase 4 guidelines were released stating that theaters can only be at 50% capacity capped at 50 people. The Tivoli, with its 1,000-seat auditorium, would have to operate at 5% capacity under those guidelines.

"In our discussions with the state, they indicated that it would be 50% with a 250-person maximum, which would have put the Tivoli at the ability to open, and then they changed it to 50," Classic Cinemas CEO Chris Johnson said. "They changed the guidelines to a 50-person capacity. It's just not worth it to open."

The Tivoli, built in 1928 and one of 14 Classic Cinemas locations – 13 of them in Illinois – has been closed since March 13. Johnson estimated his chain of theaters has lost a combined $13 million over the past three months. Most of Classic Cinemas' other locations, including the York Theatre in Elmhurst, will reopen June 26 for Phase 4. The Lake Theatre in Oak Park is reopening July 10.

"It worried me how long it took to release the final protocols, that maybe there was a change going on. I took the leap of faith that everything would turn out," Johnson said. "We're extremely disappointed. We thought that we had good faith conversations, and we were prepared to meet all those protocols. It's devastating."

Classic Cinemas has spent the past week ramping up to reopen, getting signage, messaging and employees ready, and working with its software ticketing company to put the appropriate distance between guests.

Two to three open seats between parties, staggered show times to disinfect seats and masks worn until seated are a few of the changes that moviegoers can expect to see at Classic Cinemas' locations starting June 26.

"We are excited to come back," Johnson said last week, prior to the Tivoli announcement. "The summer is our busiest months of the year, that is the unfortunate part. This has been brutal."

In Classic Cinemas auditoriums with recliner seating in which rows are already more than six feet apart, rows won't have to be skipped but two seats must be left between a party and other guests. In high-back seating auditoriums, every other row will be blocked off and three seats will be left between each group.

At the York Theatre with 10 screens, the largest auditorium seats 134 people. Johnson said they recently took out two-thirds of the seats to put in recliners.

"I guess the good news is the majority of our theaters have recliners, so we're already taking out the seats, but to me the capacity should be based on room size and capacity," Johnson said. "As long as you can social distance, what's the point? But that's my take. We've been closed for a long time and we were excited to reopen. This decision by the state doesn't seem reflective of the conditions."

Other safety guidelines Classic Cinemas has for guests include considering purchasing tickets online, to stay at home if you or others around you have been sick, to use touch-free payment if possible and to wear a mask until seated.

"We are greatly reducing the number of people in our theaters; I think people will feel safe," Johnson said last week. "The good news about theaters is there is no interaction, no singing, no speaking. It is actually on the lower risk of things."

Staff members will be required to wear gloves and masks and must pass a health and temperature screening before their shift. Classic Cinemas is also doing deep cleanings of theaters, likely switching all ticketing to reserved seating.

Concessions will be open, and staff members will assist guests in high-touch tasks such as self-serve drinks and popcorn toppings. Johnson said refills will be available, served in new containers. Hand sanitizers also will be available to guests.

"Come out, leave it to us, wear a mask in the lobby and have a good time and we'll do everything else," Johnson said. "The really good part is once you get through the lobby experience, go into the auditorium and enjoy yourself."

Johnson said Classic Cinemas just reopened its location in Beloit, Wisconsin, to positive reviews.

"We're trying to earn the respect of guests and that's all you can do," Johnson said. "Talk is cheap and actions speak louder than words."

Other movie chains recently announced plans to reopen in mid-July.

AMC Theatres, the world's largest chain with more than 600 locations in the U.S. including AMC Yorktown 18 in Lombard, announced June 18 its plans to reopen July 15.

Regal Cinemas, the country's second-largest chain with locations in Warrenville and Bolingbrook, announced June 18 it will open on July 10.

Johnson said his theaters won't have the newest movies right out of the gate. Movies such as "The Avengers," "Space Jam," "The Greatest Showman" and "Zootopia" will be warmup acts to the new releases due out in July.

Five films are scheduled for release in July: "Unhinged," starring Russell Crowe, on July 10; "The Broken Hearts Gallery" and "Saint Maud," on July 17; Disney's live-action "Mulan" on July 24; and "Tenet" on July 31.

Blockbusters such as "Top Gun: Maverick," "Wonder Woman 1984" and the James Bond film "No Time to Die" slated for summer release have been pushed back to the end of the year.

Johnson, who had expected his Illinois theaters to be open well before now, said theaters need to reopen for the new releases to hit the screens.

"I figured we would be open by May 15. That was my guess; that was a long time back," Johnson said. "Candidly, we need to get back open as theaters so studios see enough theaters are open to release their new products. You can have nice theaters, but at the end of the day people are coming because they want to see new movies."

While the rest of the year figures to be a struggle for the industry, Johnson looks forward to a strong 2021 and beyond.

"For the short term we're in a bad way, but I do feel bullish about movie theaters' prospects long term," he said. My only thing is how do we survive from March to whenever. Going forward, I'm excited. Realistically, there's some groups of people that want to get out right away and others will stay home until there's a vaccination and treatment. I get both camps, and I completely respect their decisions."