7/14/2023 0 Comments Drive in movie theaters houston txMost romantic drive-in theaters in Houston.Drive-in theaters with the best snacks and food options.Family-friendly drive-in theaters in Houston.Drive-in theaters with the largest screens.A previous version of this article stated that Hockley was southeast of downtown Houston. "It's been really meaningful to see that what we're doing matters to (customers)."Ĭorrections and Amplifications: Hockley, Texas is northwest of downtown Houston. "We would love to figure out a way to keep it going," Thomas says. The answer is simple: buy a ticket, purchase popcorn from the concession stand and tune your radios to one of Showboat's two stations. Thomas says customers continue to reach out and ask how they can help. "If we were able to make it there, I think the ability for the business to proceed forward for many years is a reality," Thomas says. "There's even the possibility that we don't end up selling," Thomas says, and adds that the movie release schedule for 2024 looks very promising, with a larger slate of films similar to what the industry used to release before the pandemic. The theater has two screens that show double features. "I think the entire summer season people can just assume that they'll be able to come out and enjoy something," he adds. "We have folks that drive from Louisiana to come and visit."Ĭustomers can assume that the theater will remain open, Thomas says, because he does not believe a sale will be finalized before the end of summer. For many, it is a family tradition to spend at least one summer night watching a flick under the stars. Thomas says that customers continue to call asking when the theater plans to shut its doors. Those who want to tear down the theater and develop the land, speculative investors who plan to hold onto the property while the land gains value and then there are the thousands of customers who want to keep Showboat's gates open. There are three types of people interested in the property, according to Thomas. This change in scenery has led to potential buyers eyeing the property as an investment. Homes now surround the property, with new developments and retail spaces planned. The land around Showboat has undergone a complete overhaul since the original owner, Chris Rumfolo, opened the theater 18 years ago for a double feature of Ice Age 2 and Aquamarine. Thomas points out that even larger companies are feeling the effects, such as Cineworld, which owns Regency theaters, declaring bankruptcy last year. "Every small market theater is in the same boat." "We've had to play a lot of R-rated stuff because it was the only thing available," Thomas says. The worst part was the lack of family-friendly movies for a venue that typically caters to younger viewers. The pandemic changed everything-with the 2022 season finally crawling back to higher numbers with 70 major movie releases. Thomas explains that it was normal to see about 140 major movies released every year between 20. The concession stand sells popcorn and drinks. "That's always the driver of the cinema experience." "As much as people may enjoy the experience of watching a movie outside, a core component of that is there is a movie they want to see," Thomas says. But soon, the theater began to experience what all those in the cinema industry were facing: A lack of new movies to show. Showboat Theater did see a bump in popularity at the beginning of the pandemic, Thomas says, as people focused on outdoor entertainment options with their groups. "It's not sustainable with the market dynamics that currently exist." "When you look at all of those things, we've just been in a situation where there are more months in which we are not making hardly anything or sometimes having a bit of a deficit," Thomas explains. The Showboat Theater opened 18 years ago. But the movie business is not all bright lights and ticket sales-the pandemic was not kind to theaters and the current economy is not helping with the increasing costs of renting films from movie studios, food vendors, labor wages and even electricity. Thomas and his wife, Juanita, don't want to sell the Showboat Theater in Hockley, the small town that's only about 30 miles northwest of downtown Houston.
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