Pocono News Section

Downtown Scranton Movie Theater Re-Opens Five Months After Fire

Downtown Scranton Movie Theater Re-Opens Five Months After Fire - Friday, January 29, 2010 at 7:01PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Friday, Jan 29, 2010 @ 07:01pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - Five months after being damaged in a fire, the only movie theater in the city of Scranton is once again open.

Marquee Cinemas on Lackawanna Avenue re-opened for business Friday afternoon. Workers are hoping for a big crowd for re-opening weekend.

The first show started at 12:15 PM. One-by-one customers started coming back. Many say the location is the best thing about the movie theater. It is located right across from the Mall at Steamtown.

"I'm happy that it's back open. It's close. I can run in and see a movie after I'm shopping. My kids can go see a movie and I can meet up with them when the movie is over," Marie Nguyen of South Abington Township said.

Two of the theater's eight theaters were damaged by a huge fire at the Community Bake Shop on August 19th. Many hoped the theater would have re-opened for the busy holiday season, but it did not. Movie-goers say they prefer coming to downtown Scranton as opposed to Moosic or Wilkes-Barre.

"Close. It's close and the bars and restaurants," Joe Mesko of Scranton said. "It's nice to have it back. It's great to have it back."

"It's easier than Montage out in this cold weather," Donald Briskey of Scranton said. "It's better to come here than walk back there."

Managers would not comment on why it took so long to re-open Friday afternoon. Customers say they have those questions too but they're on the backburner right now.

"I'm disappointed that it took five months but now that it's open, I'm happy it's open," Nguyen said.