Frugal Family: Movies on a Budget

Going to the movies is becoming a thing of the past now that tickets cost $9 or more per person. Interested in some popcorn or a snack? Forget it! That’s the equivalent of a week’s worth of gas.

An outing to the movies for a family of four could easily cost you upwards of $75.

However, there’s a secret little place called the Emmaus Theatre that is still a viable option for many, even in this crazy economy.

Not only do you get a taste of nostalgia as you enter the vintage theater, you also pay old-time prices.

For a typical weeknight movie, it’s just $3 per person. That’s also the cost for a Sunday matinee. At that rate, it’s like getting three tickets for the price of one at the “Big Box” movie chains. Now that’s savings!

After you’ve saved a few bucks on tickets, you’ll have a little money left for those coveted movie theater treats.

Grab a small popcorn and a small soda for just $4. Supersize it to get a medium popcorn with a small soda for just a buck more. That beats the $10+ combo ‘deal’ at those other places too!

Let’s just put it this way, you’ll pay 1/3 the price to see a movie at Emmaus Theatre than you would at any of the chain theaters in the Lehigh Valley.

Sure, the screen might have a teeny flaw in it and the train might go past once or twice, but at that savings, it’s worth it. And to their credit, they got new seats with cup holders a few years ago! Progress!

There are several other independent movie theaters across the Lehigh Valley offering similarly reduced prices:

• Emmaus Theatre – 19 S. 4^th St., Emmaus
• Boyd Theater – 30 W. Broad St., Bethlehem
• Strand Theater – 32 N. Whiteoak St., Kutztown
• Roxy Theater – 2004 Main St., Northamptom
• Civic Theater – 527 N. 19^th St., Allentown

These theaters cost a fraction of the chain movie theaters, but offer a LOT more character. Save a little money and go “see” for yourself!