New Jersey Movie Theaters Reopen In Time For Holiday Weekend
HOBOKEN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- In New Jersey, some people are kicking off this holiday weekend with a long awaited return to big screen entertainment. Movie theaters are finally open again.
As CBS2's Dave Carlin reported, there are big buckets of buttered popcorn and big smiles. The six month wait for movies is over.
Settled in her seat is Joselynn Jimenez of Dumont, N. J., along with her two sisters and a friend. Just before the lights dim, she pops out to get some popcorn, then back again. She told Carlin her mom is protective, and might not approve.
"It feels, like, spacious, so there's nobody really near me, so that's good," she said.
"Your mother does not know," Carlin said.
"No, she does," Jimenez replied.
"Will that be a problem?" Carlin asked.
"After telling her the precautions, probably not," she said.
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"Bring mom. We'll prove to her that we can entertain her safely," said Joseph Masher, chief operating officer of Bow Tie Cinemas.
Masher took Carlin on a tour of the Warner Theater in Ridgewood.
With the long-awaited word "open" finally sliding into place on the marquee, cleanings are required in every theater between every showing. Deep cleaning happens overnight, each theater can not exceed 25% capacity and requires proper spacing. There's also touch-free ticketing and enhanced air filtration.
"We used to use MERV 11 rated filters. Now we're using MERV 13," Masher said. "We've opened the dampers a little more, so there's more fresh air coming in and the system is running constantly too."
Masher says that is all in accordance with safe cinema practices.
A new Marvel movie, plus the film Tenet are being counted on to boost box office before this weekend is over.
"It's so nice after six months," said Wyckoff resident Michael Ghinelli.
New York state movie theaters are still dark and hoping they open soon, certainly in time for the upcoming premiere of a new Wonder Woman movie In October.
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