Cinema Salem To 'Pause' Operations During Coronavirus Surge

SALEM, MA — A venerable Salem theater is taking a "pause" amid the current spike in coronavirus cases and dwindling winter attendance.

Cinema Salem operators said the indefinite pause will begin on Monday and will give operators a chance to focus on "physical upgrades" of the theater.

"We don't know exactly how long this pause will last," theater operators said in a message on its website. "That will depend on what happens with the virus, progress with renovations, and likely
other factors we can't predict.

"But this is a pause, not a shutdown. When we're ready to welcome you back, it will be to a more pleasant and comfortable place."

Operators said the decision came "after much thought" based on lower attendance, higher virus numbers and "a dearth of good films being released in the next several weeks."

The upgrades will include new seats and a fourth theater in the room that was formerly the "cafe."

"We are installing a Hollywood level projector, a bigger screen, a new sound system, and comfortable seats," operators said. "We'll use the space to screen Hollywood releases, independent films and classics. It will also be a great place for private rentals, where people can see movies they choose with friends and family."

Operators said the cinema may be able to arrange private screenings during the "pause" even if it is not open to the general public.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)