Lights Camera Action! Kalamazoo Movie Theaters Are Reopening

Grab some popcorn. Here's what you need to know as some, not all, Kalamazoo movie theaters will reopen after the lengthy state-mandated shutdown.

Two of Kalamazoo's three biggest movie theaters will be reopening on October 9. Celebration Cinema Crossroads near the mall in Portage and AMC Portage Street 10 downtown Kalamazoo will be open for business, while GQT Kalamazoo 10 on West Main has delayed opening one week until Friday, October 16.

Here's what to expect under Executive Order 2020-183 that reopens  indoor theaters, cinemas, performance venues, arcades, bingo halls, bowling centers, indoor climbing facilities, trampoline parks, and more.

Limited capacity: Attendance is limited to 20 people per 1,000 square feet or 20 percent of fixed seating capacity, with a maximum of 500 people.

Face covering: Mandatory at indoor venues.

Online advanced ticket purchases: To limit crowds, yet sell the most tickets allowed by law, many theaters are suggesting online purchases in advance. Gone are the days of meeting your friends at the movies and deciding what looks good on the marquee.

Digital snack bar: To reduce points of contact, some theaters suggest ordering popcorn, candy and drinks online or on their app. Some will deliver right to your seat.

Cash only: Celebration Cinemas are cashless, requiring use of debit, credit or gift cards for purchases. Other theaters may have similar policies.

Enhanced cleaning protocols: Staff will spend more time disinfecting theaters after a screening. This may require more time between movies, plus staggering start and end times of films to reduce traffic congestion in the lobby.