Admiral Theater reopens, hopes to stay open

SEATTLE — The curtain is going up at local movie theaters, less than a week after the Governor eased COVID-19 restrictions.

This, even as health officials brace for a wave of new infections because of new variants.

It is not exactly business as usual at theaters. They are limited to 25% capacity. And that meant a pretty small crowd at the Admiral Theater.

But those who came were very happy to be here.

On what is usually a big movie night, business was excruciatingly slow at the Admiral Theater. But it was open.

And that enticed Brandi Ruff to travel from Yelm “because the theaters aren’t open there yet. And we’re having a girls’ weekend.”

A girls’ weekend with her mother, Belinda Southworth.

“Felt like we were all in the doghouse,” said Southworth, West Seattle. “It’s nice things are finally opening up a little bit.”

The theater’s general manager says they made changes to keep theatergoers safe.

“We have HVACs that we installed in October, so that kind of helps circulate the air a lot,” said Marina Kosenko. “Usually, the lobby doors are open. That circulates the air a lot in here as well.”

And, of course, everyone must wear a mask.

“I’m nervous about people coming in contact with one another indoors, period,” declared King County’s Chief health officer at a noontime news conference.

Dr. Jeff Duchin delivered the grim news because he believes a new, more contagious COVID-19 variant is likely waiting to explode here. And he isn’t sure this is a safe place to be just yet.

“Understanding that this is an airborne virus, that it can accumulate in indoor spaces,” he warned, “that masks and distancing decrease the risk but they don’t eliminate the risk.”

Locals Meg and Jeff Jones say they are glad to see their neighborhood theater open again. But when asked if they will be coming anytime soon, Meg Jones said, “No, I don’t think so.”

They are taking Duchin’s advice to heart. “We’re going out to dinner and we will be doing it outside,” said Meg Jones.

“We’re not eating inside,” agreed Jeff Jones.

“We’re not doing that yet,” added Meg Jones.

The restrictions aren’t preventing the theater from selling snacks. But they offer them only at night.

Last October, the Admiral Theater had to close again.

So, they hope this time they are open for good.

Cox Media Group