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Greetings Laemmle Fans,
As of March 16, it has been exactly one full year since movie theatres in Los Angeles were asked to close their doors. At the time, I remember thinking that we’d be open again within a few months. But as we all know, nothing went according to plan.
I also thought, at the time, that Laemmle Theatres would not be able to survive being closed for more than a few months. And yet, exactly one full year later, we’re still here. We’ve received support from government stimulus programs, and more importantly from you, our patrons, through your gift and Premiere Card purchases, and your rentals on Laemmle Virtual Cinema.
Even so, some difficult decisions had to be made. We sold two properties in order to raise capital, and we may have to sell more to shore up our finances. But to be clear, the plan is to reopen as a tenant and maintain operations as a movie theatre, even where we no longer own the property.
Thanks to these actions, I’m confident that Laemmle Theatres will be prepared to open again, once it is deemed safe to do so. And as of now, it seems like that day may be coming soon.
This isn’t the first time our family business has faced an existential crisis. Seventy years ago, the advent of television reduced Laemmle Theatres to a single location. But Grandpa Max didn’t give up, and three generations and several decades later, the business had grown in ways he never would have believed possible. These closures may leave a mark, but there is nothing Laemmle Theatres has lost over the past year that we cannot regain in the days ahead.
We all love sharing the joy of cinema with others. We all relish the uniquely profound experience that only moviegoing can offer. And I believe that with your support, there will always be a place at Laemmle Theatres for customers to fulfill exactly that purpose.
Please stay safe. Keep wearing a mask. Get a vaccine shot as soon as you can. And we look forward to seeing you very soon, at the movies. All the best, Greg Laemmle
All the best,
Greg Laemmle
