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HONESDALE — In life, sometimes circumstances dictate where you land.
For Tim and Adah Dulay, it seems Cinema 6 was their destiny.
“I helped build this place,” said Tim of the theater. “I was in there with a Bobcat when they were building it.”That was in late 1996 and early 1997.
At that time, Tim said he was “finishing up on wallpaper” when he overheard a conversation about how one of the projectionists “hadn’t had a day off in three weeks.”
Always intrigued by movie theaters, Tim agreed to go to work at the cinema to be a part-time projectionist. He worked every Sunday.
Then came an opportunity to work full-time and he took the chance.
Then last year, the previous owner hinted he might be selling the cinema.
“We didn’t buy anything for Christmas last year,” smiles Tim, saying they had always wanted to own the theater and when they thought there was even a chance, every penny went into saving money for that opportunity.
“We were able to pull it off,” said Tim.
It was Aug. 15 of this year when the deal was officially made and Tim and Adah became owners of Cinema 6.
“I like the kids,” said Tim, speaking of both the patrons and their young employees.
“He is such a people person,” said Adah.
Both said many people thought “we owned it anyway” because they were there so much and helped the customers.
“We want to do things with the community,” said Adah.
Since taking over the cinema, they have began making some changes. One of the biggest, both agreed, was a change in attitude.
“We have changed the atmosphere,” said Tim. “We try to treat everyone like a star.”
That’s kind of fitting for movie theater owners, where star power is the big draw.
They’ve also done some painting, cleaned the carpets and have spruced up the concessions area to better serve the customers.
They have also added features like “Two for Tuesday” where people can purchase one ticket and get the second free. They also have specials for senior citizens who can get a popcorn and soda for $3.
One of the big challenges facing smaller cinemas is getting movies in a timely manner. Tim says that is “hit or miss,” though they do strive to get first-run movies as timely as possible.
They work through an independent booking agency which supplies movies to the smaller, independently owned theaters.
HONESDALE — In life, sometimes circumstances dictate where you land.
For Tim and Adah Dulay, it seems Cinema 6 was their destiny.
“I helped build this place,” said Tim of the theater. “I was in there with a Bobcat when they were building it.”That was in late 1996 and early 1997.
At that time, Tim said he was “finishing up on wallpaper” when he overheard a conversation about how one of the projectionists “hadn’t had a day off in three weeks.”
Always intrigued by movie theaters, Tim agreed to go to work at the cinema to be a part-time projectionist. He worked every Sunday.
Then came an opportunity to work full-time and he took the chance.
Then last year, the previous owner hinted he might be selling the cinema.
“We didn’t buy anything for Christmas last year,” smiles Tim, saying they had always wanted to own the theater and when they thought there was even a chance, every penny went into saving money for that opportunity.
“We were able to pull it off,” said Tim.
It was Aug. 15 of this year when the deal was officially made and Tim and Adah became owners of Cinema 6.
“I like the kids,” said Tim, speaking of both the patrons and their young employees.
“He is such a people person,” said Adah.
Both said many people thought “we owned it anyway” because they were there so much and helped the customers.
“We want to do things with the community,” said Adah.
Since taking over the cinema, they have began making some changes. One of the biggest, both agreed, was a change in attitude.
“We have changed the atmosphere,” said Tim. “We try to treat everyone like a star.”
That’s kind of fitting for movie theater owners, where star power is the big draw.
They’ve also done some painting, cleaned the carpets and have spruced up the concessions area to better serve the customers.
They have also added features like “Two for Tuesday” where people can purchase one ticket and get the second free. They also have specials for senior citizens who can get a popcorn and soda for $3.
One of the big challenges facing smaller cinemas is getting movies in a timely manner. Tim says that is “hit or miss,” though they do strive to get first-run movies as timely as possible.
They work through an independent booking agency which supplies movies to the smaller, independently owned theaters.
Of course, the big movies are always a major benefit for theaters and coming up in the very near future is what may be the biggest one of all — the latest installment in the Twilight series.
In fact, Cinema 6 will be having a special showing at midnight on Nov. 17.
“It will be a big help,” said Adah of the new Twilight movie.
They also are focusing on the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, where movie watching is very high. Both said they were initially surprised by how many people come out on the holidays, which, as it turns out, are great days for the cinema.
Both said having support from the community is crucial for them to continue to operate and make the necessary improvements.
Tim said they want to have new seats in the very near future and by the end of 2013, all six cinemas have to be digital. Currently, they have one digital cinema and the rest are on the older systems which use 35mm film.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” said Tim, adding he hopes the community will have patience when it comes to improvements at Cinema 6.
“If they don’t come here, I can’t put in the seats,” he said of the customer base. “I’m just trying to give a nice service to the community.”
Both said they are committed to putting money back into the theater to make the necessary improvements.
“We haven’t stopped doing the little things,” said Tim.
That included necessary roof repairs and also cleaning the current seats on a regular basis.
But all of that aside, Tim says he feels like they belong in the cinema business. It was in 1997 when Tim had a very bad accident and nearly lost his life. He said sometimes he wonders how he did pull through and thinks maybe his role at the theater might have something to do with that situation.
He also credits his wife.
“My wife has been by my side throughout this whole thing,” says Tim, his emotions obviously getting to him with Adah by his side.
Both also say there is “something” about this community which they enjoy, especially the people.
“We see new faces and get to meet people all of the time,” said Tim.
They’ve also had a half-dozen or so famous actors come to the cinema, saying it’s a place they can come on a low-key basis.
Another very positive aspect of the theater is the fact it employs people in the community. Tim said they have several younger people who work at the theater and that makes them feel good, as well.
Those people are Gabriel Gardener, Mitch Hubert, Allison Hicks, Taylor Knash, Deborah Knee, Katelin Lemon,
Megan Dulay (their daughter) and Eric Cobrelin. Additionally, they recently hired Tim Gumble as the new manager, which will hopefully give them time off from their hectic schedule which usually means working every day at the theater.
The theater is open 365 days a year in the evenings. You can visit www.moviesatcinema6.com for more information or call 251-8151.
“We feel good,” said Tim about being owners of Cinema 6. “Are we scared? Yes. Who isn’t afraid of failure?”
But they are hoping that’s not an option as they move forward in the next chapter of their lives.
“We like hanging out here.”
That’s probably the best news the people of this area could be delivered.
