CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A landmark movie theater in the northwest suburbs is preparing for its close-up once again.
The neon marquee at the Pickwick Movie Theater has been lighting up the Uptown section of Park Ridge since 1928. With the exception of a few weeks over the summer, the Pickwick has been closed since March. A drive up popcorn delivery service and renting the marquee for personalized messages have been the only sources of revenue.
That will change starting next Friday. The reopening of the Pickwick will start in two phases. Four smaller theaters will open on Feb. 26. Owner Dino Vlahakis said it will give employees time to get used to the new COVID safety protocols.
"We basically have to retrain our staff again. Tell them the protocol about masks and cleaning your hands and all that kind of stuff," Vlahakis said
The large 1920s vintage movie palace will reopen on March 6. The first title to be shown after reopening is "Tom and Jerry."
Capacity will be limited to 25 percent or 50 people in the early going. Vlahakis anticipates more people will return to theaters as they get more comfortable with going out, and as studios release more and more new movies.
"Once we get the product, people will return. Our goal is May. May is the month when I think we will see our numbers really start to improve," Vlahakis said.
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