Summer in the Square Events

ByDon

Summer in the Square has kicked off with Thursday night events. See the list here.

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  • Regal 14 Theater Gains Three More Screens But Still Isn’t Open

    ByDon
    After 18 months of remodeling, Regal Union Square in New York was hoping to welcome moviegoers to the theatrical experience of the future.
    The Manhattan branch went through an extensive facelift, changing the 14-screen theater to a 17-screen location. It now includes a panoramic Screen X, as well as an enhanced 4DX experience which combines smell and motion to the filmgoing experience. It’s added a bar, as well as a Lavazza coffee shop downstairs. The building is intended to be one of the flagship experiences in the Regal Cinema’s chain.
    “We’ve had enough of being locked up in our homes, watching movies on handheld devices, TVs,” said Regal Cinemas regional director Andy Stone. “It’s all about going out, socializing, and sharing an experience.”
    It looks like they’ll have to wait a little bit longer. Because of the coronavirus, New York movie theaters are still under orders to remain closed.
    On top of that, the U.S. filmgoing public seems a bit hesitant to return to the movies, even if theaters are given the green light by local governments. Many were hoping that the release of films like The New Mutants and Tenet would kickstart the movie theater business. As of September 28, only New York, North Carolina, and New Mexico have not reopened indoor movie theaters, though some large cities like Los Angeles have kept their theaters shut.
    Regal’s Stone says that for any movies that do release, Regal Union Square and its sister branches are ready to run them for the public. In addition to updating its air filtration system, it has other new safety rules in place, including a requirement to wear masks. Hand sanitizing stations are easily found, and plexiglass dividers have been installed to put a barrier between patron and employee. Its ticket sales system is set up to restrict crowds to meet government requirements on capacity.
    It’s also updated ticket buying so people can scan their tickets themselves on their smartphone. You can also order your popcorn and snacks via an app and pick it up at the end of the counter, eliminating the need to interact with concession employees. Many of these modernizations were in development before the pandemic and ready in time for the age of social distancing.
    “As a business, you know, we really do embrace technology,” Stone explained. “And during this time what it’s done is actually given us that opportunity to work through some of the technological changes that we were looking to implement.”
    In addition to serving cinephiles, Regal is also eager to reopen for the many employees who work at the theaters. The company has had to furlough most of its staff as theaters remain shuttered. Revenue has been down 99 percent year-over-year.
    Stone, who started his own theater career as a concessionist popping popcorn and worked his way up, pointed out his journey is not a unique one. While many teens and young adults work at movie theaters, many chains like Regal have career progression plans which can employ people for life. Closed theaters cut off their livelihood, in addition to the third-party vendors that rely on the movies for business.
    “It’s more than just serving from behind a concession stand and cleaning an auditorium,” he explained.
    He has his fingers crossed that Regal Union Square will be able to open its doors soon.
    “Although there has been a period where we have been starved of our movies, there’s still so much more to come,” Stone said.

  • The Latest on Park Construction

    ByDon

    From the park association: It’s crunch time in Union Square Park as the North End Project reaches 83 percent and enters into the final stretch. New granite curb has been installed along Union Square East, and crews are hard at work paving the east side and 16th Street transverse. Next, they will install the playground’s south perimeter fence once paving is complete. To recap, at this time the landscaping is finished and the park’s new trees, shrubbery and perennials are taking root. Most of the plazas having been reopened to the public and the Greenmarket is fully operational on site in time for their busy fall season. Pavilion restoration continues, though hampered by graffiti removal that has proven challenging, and the new restroom facility on the east side of the project area is nearing completion.

  • Time Machine Photo

    ByDon

    The first headquarters of the NAACP, was at 69 5th Ave., where the New School building is now. From 1920 to 1938, they flew this flag whenever they received a report of a lynching anywhere in America. This view, which hasn’t changed much, is looking south on 5th Ave.