I was afraid this was going to happen!!!
By GreatMartin
@GreatMartin (23677)
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
July 3, 2022 4:38pm CST
THE GATEWAY THEATRE
Gregory sent you a thank you for supporting Restore & ReOpen Gateway Cinema
Martin, In March of 2020, Gateway Cinema closed its doors. The iconic theatre remained closed until May of 2021, when we reopened (during the height of the pandemic). This was only possible due to the support of FLIFF benefactor Scott Bennett and over 150 donors like yourself. The task for reopening and maintaining a 71-year-old building was enormous. We needed a half a million dollars to restore and renovate. We actually did well, raising nearly $75K, but still far below the structure’s needs. However, we did get the beloved Gateway back open, which was our goal. The condition of the building’s infrastructure forced us to tap into all of our reserves to maintain it. The operation was jeopardizing our ability to produce the Film Festival, which is our founding mission, and for that matter our entire organization. We went to the owners and they agreed to let us out of our lease, if there was another operator in the wings. I’m happy to report there is – and we will cease our operations on July 31, 2022. The new operator plans to re-open in August. We are melancholy that we could not find the funds to maintain the Gateway – while simultaneously ecstatic that we played a starring role in bringing the Gateway Cinema back to life. We will continue to present film at Savor Cinema and Cinema Paradiso Hollywood. Best of all, we are extremely enthusiastic about FLIFF37 which will unspool November 4 – 13. July will be special as we will announce many events to thank our donors and general audience. Read the FLIFF eblasts for details beginning next week. We thank you for your support. Without it, Gateway would still be shuttered and possibly worse. My email is Greg@FLIFF.com. If you have any questions and wish to contact me directly, please don’t hesitate to do so. Wishing you a happy and safe 4th of July. Gregory von Hausch
9 people like this
8 responses
@LindaOHio (155513)
• United States
4 Jul 22
This is great if the theater is going to be restored rather than revamped. Happy 4th of July!
4 people like this
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
5 Jul 22
I have a feeling the new owner won't make it!!
3 people like this
@RasmaSandra (73201)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
3 Jul 22
Well good that it lasted so long and did so well, Best of luck in the future,
4 people like this
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
5 Jul 22
I'm hoping but................
2 people like this
@popciclecold (35022)
• United States
3 Jul 22
That was indeed a good thing you all did. Hope there are more like you. Good job.
3 people like this
@FourWalls (61936)
• United States
4 Jul 22
It’s always sad to see the “old” theaters closing in favor of the sterile new ones. I would rather go back to the Vogue, that messy, gum-under-the-seat theater where I saw The Rocky Horror Picture Show and was where I saw the last movie I saw in a theater (Spalding Gray’s monologue Swimming to Cambodia) than the newest mega-plex. But I’m in the minority, which is why they’re closing down.
At least this one has a future.
3 people like this
@FourWalls (61936)
• United States
5 Jul 22
@GreatMartin — in reality, I think you’re right. They’ll try something for two weeks, claim it didn’t work, then sell the property to a developer for a gazillion dollars. 
3 people like this
@xander6464 (40825)
• Wapello, Iowa
6 Jul 22
@FourWalls — in reality, I think you’re right. They’ll try something for two weeks, claim it didn’t work, then sell the property to a developer for a gazillion dollars.
------Maybe then, Ft. Liquordale will get something it really needs. A new condo tower. Or maybe an office building.
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (40825)
• Wapello, Iowa
4 Jul 22
What are the new owners going to do with it?
3 people like this
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
5 Jul 22
No idea--just hope they have the money to fix it up and keep it going!! It's where "Where The Boys Are" premiered! Older than you!
2 people like this
@xander6464 (40825)
• Wapello, Iowa
6 Jul 22
@GreatMartin I wish. I'm gonna be 30 in only two years.
@db20747 (43425)
• Washington, District Of Columbia
3 Jul 22
This is great!! At least the movie theater will remain open. Seeing a landmark go is not easy to do. Perhaps you can sit on the board and come up with ideas to keep it open. Hope you can continue to enjoy your most favorite movie theater.
3 people like this
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
5 Jul 22
Don't know how long the new owner will last!!
2 people like this
@kaylachan (57362)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
4 Jul 22
I wish you the best of luck in your efforts and hope you enjoy your forth.
3 people like this
