Issue No. 6 - Feb 28, 2008
Watching a movie the way it was made to be seen...add THE COMMODORE THEATRE to your "Bucket List."
With the Academy Awards upon us, I'm in the mood to see a good movie! As consumers, we certainly have a fair range of choices as to the format we want to watch the latest or greatest Hollywood has to offer: digital downloads, a DVD from the rental store, select what's available from a self-serve kiosk, or...watch them the old-fashioned way...at the movie theatre.
While in the near future digital downloads may be the preferred viewing format, I currently do not have the proper equipment for it. Heading out to the rental store is a possibility. Unfortunately, the closest MOVIE GALLERY to me shut down during their first wave of store closings last September, with more just announced this month (February 2008). And I'm currently having a personal boycott of BLOCKBUSTER over some gift cards that went bust due to dormancy fees. (New cards, issued after 11/01/07 no longer carry the fees, but these were from 2005. WHAT? The "creator" of this site has gift cards that expire? Please read the "About Us" section...and you'll see I came up with this idea because I really needed it!) It's been over two months since I sent their headquarters my letter --- along with the expired gift cards --- and I am still waiting for their Customer Service Department to respond with a satisfactory resolve of the issue.
Heading out to the cinema is my preferred choice. And, I have to say, I am one of the lucky ones, along with others that live in my area, having the option of not just going to see a movie at any of the "plain vanilla" multiplexes offering overpriced food and drink, usually litter-filled aisles, and small screens. For only about a 15 mile drive, I can truly make a trip to the movies in to an experience, at THE COMMODORE THEATRE in Portsmouth, VA.
THE COMMODORE THEATRE sits in the heart of the Olde Towne Business District of Portsmouth, a city rich in maritime history and home to one of the largest naval shipyards in the world, as well as a key Coast Guard base. Bordering the downtown district to the north is Olde Towne, with block after block of restored homes, many dating back to the Colonial era. To the south is the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. The shipyard is actually, in Portsmouth, but the Portsmouth (New Hampshire) Naval Shipyard (actually in Kittery, Maine) grabbed that name first. The Elizabeth River (easily traversable by passenger ferries on a 15-minute ride via paddle-wheel style vessels) separates Portsmouth from its larger neighbor --- Norfolk --- on the east. And, several blocks to the west and the southwest, are the sections of the city still waiting for something to happen...a vast land of opportunity the city is actively seeking out development for.
While single theatre movie houses still exist, many find it to be a constant struggle in an industry landscape dominated by the huge multiplex companies, who are able to negotiate more favorable terms with the movie studios and their film distributors. Not only that, but with the volume of scale, the multiplex companies are able to extract better deals and merchandising "extras" with the soft drink and snack food companies that stock the concession stands (who do you think pays for most of those announcements that run before the feature film?). But Fred Schoenfeld and THE COMMODORE THEATRE have found a special niche that has enabled them not just to survive, but to thrive as well.
(Before I go any further, the theatre does offer gift certificates, which is how I am able to tie them in to a column about gift cards and gift certificates. More on these offerings later...)
Here are a few highlights I pulled off of THE COMMODORE THEATRE web-site, found at www.commodoretheatre.com. Please read on:
- THE COMMODORE THEATRE was first opened in 1945, operating as part of the Wilder chain. Then, a couple of decades later, as what happened in the downtown areas of many cities around the country in the late 60's and throughout the 70's, with the "white flight" to suburban areas, downtown Portsmouth was on the "death spiral." Due to economic conditions, the theatre closed in 1975.
- After an extended closure, Fred Schoenfeld, a "visionary" of sorts, had the idea to restore the theatre to the way it had been. He took a chance that if one offered a unique product at a fair price, people would come back to an area that had otherwise been written off. The renovation/restoration "project" began in June 1987.
- The plan was "tweaked" to include a main floor dining area for 190 persons, with seating in comfortably-upholstered rolling chairs and at tables for 2, 3 and 4 persons. Balcony seating (traditional self-service concession stand snacks only) is available for 318 persons.
- This is a "one show" theatre, in that they only offer one featured movie. Depending on the length of the show, there may be two evening showings on some nights, with afternoon matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- The original 20' X 40' side murals in the main floor dining area were repainted and enhanced, with new artwork added in the lobby area.
- Fred designed the "kicking" sound system with the help of George Lucas' THX Group (yes, THAT George Lucas). This includes 9 large JBL speakers mounted in the sound wall behind the 41' wide and 21' high screen, and 22 surround speakers throughout the auditorium.
- Dining patrons are able to arrive up to about an hour before the show, pick up the telephone at their table, call and place their food and beverage order...then have it delivered before or just after the beginning of the show. While they offer the obligatory Sno-Caps and Goobers, you can also order "home-made" sandwiches, pizzas, appetizers, desserts...even beer and wine. And the best part is you do not have to get a second job to pay for it! (There is a "per-person minimum" of $5.00 when seated at one of the main floor dining tables.)
Now, before you go, here are some things you need to know:
- The dining area seating is, by far, the most popular. It is not uncommon, for a "got to see" movie or for opening weekends, to have a line of would-be theatre-goers --- folding chairs in tow --- out there at 9:00AM waiting for the box office to open at 1:00PM. This in 30 degree weather, pouring rain, or our 95 degree summers. Heck, I even remember coming out of a "sneak preview" for one of the features in the LORD OF THE RINGS Trilogy --- on a Wednesday night --- and encountering a line of fans camping out to be some of the first to buy tickets for the following night's opening of the feature!
- Tickets are only sold that day for shows that day: future day's advance reservations, FANDANGO or telephone reservations are not accepted. Cash and THE COMMODORE THEATRE Gift Certificates only are accepted at the box office. (One of the ways Fred is able to keep the ticket costs low...not having to pay a commission to the credit card issuers for ticket sales). Credit cards, however, are accepted for dining.
- If you are one of the "lucky" ones to get a table, try to get their early, so you can order and be served in advance...which cuts down on the frequency of servers walking in front of you once the movie has started.
They say James Brown was "the hardest working man in show business." My take is that Fred Schoenfeld is the hardest working man in "the show" business (that of showing a picture). On any given night, you'll find either Fred, or his wife, Jean (a scholar and former college professor in Appalachian studies, and...the impetus in the theatre's annual Bluegrass concert held each spring) seating guests, working the concession stand, overseeing the kitchen, performing the necessary maintenance that a building of 63 years requires, and running the projector. When he's not working in the theatre, you'll find him either installing telecommunications equipment at area businesses (one of his side businesses), traveling around the country to consult with theatre owners who want to pull off something like he's done (I hope he tells them it is much harder than it looks), even sometimes transporting sick children from one place to another (he's an accomplished pilot who volunteers space for these "angel" flights). These endeavors, and working on the ongoing restoration of his own Olde Towne historical district home.
Now, since you likely would not drive a long distance to visit THE COMMODORE, only to take the chance you might not secure a dining table, make plans to stay the night or weekend. That way, you, too, can be out there early on a Saturday morning to secure your dining area seating tickets for that night's show! There are two extraordinary bed and breakfast properties, both located in the Olde Towne Historical District, and both within a 15 minute walk of THE COMMODORE: The Patriot Inn Bed & Breakfast, with a definite Colonial "feel," just one block off of the Elizabeth River waterfront, and The Glencoe Inn, showcasing the Victorian era. Each property offers Gift Certificates. Or, for more modern accommodations, check out the city's showplace RENAISSANCE PORTSMOUTH HOTEL & WATERFRONT CONFERENCE CENTER, offering many rooms with spectacular views of Norfolk across the river and one of the busiest working ports in the country. Gift Cards for this hotel may be purchased from www.marriott.com.
When you are not sleeping or catching a movie, take the time to take in some of Olde Towne's great dining, unique stores, numerous antique shops, art galleries and museums. The downtown area was dealt a major blow in December 2007 with a huge fire that destroyed both a church and a unique nautical art and antiques store, leaving a gaping hole in the historical landscape, with rebuilding plans yet to be announced (at the time of this writing). While some other parts of the city are struggling, the city as a whole is on the up bound, with recent announcements of a major downtown mixed-use commercial and residential project, as well as incursions of the "big box" retailers so many other areas around the country have taken for granted. You can find more information to help you plan your weekend getaway or mini-vacation by first checking out www.visitportsva.com.
Now...about Gift Certificates to THE COMMODORE THEATRE. These traditional paper gift certificates, printed on a note card, are available in any amount. A gift certificate, in the amount of $30-$40 dollars, should take care of most expenses for admission and dinner for two. While they currently do not offer seamless online ordering of these gift certificates, you can send an email request (and follow-up with mailed check or money order) to jean@commodoretheatre.com. While the gift certificates are stamped with a six-month expiration date (Fred and Jean just want you to hurry in and enjoy a show), they are willing to extend them upon request. Any unused portion will be returned in the form of a new or revised gift certificate, or cash change, in the event of a small amount. Lastly, use them or guard them, as they are not replaceable if lost, destroyed or stolen. Enjoy the show!
Now...some updates from the Retail Radar Screen section of our web-site. Visit the Retail Radar Screen and select each of these retailers to find out more:
- Sigrid Olsen...an address has been posted in order to obtain a refund for a Sigrid Olsen Gift Card.
- More Talbots closings than what was originally reported in early January.
- Movie Gallery and Hollywood Video...way more store closings (about 400) than what were already closed in September-October 2007.
- Wilsons Leather...closing 160 mall locations, with the remaining 100 stores to be converted to a new concept by August 2008.
- The Sharper Image...the operator of 184 specialty stores filed for Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, as they attempt to reorganize, focusing on profitability. According to their web-site, they intend to "continue to conduct business as usual." Apparently, "business as usual" does not include the business of accepting gift cards, gift certificates, and any merchandise credits, as they have suspended acceptance of each of these. (Yet, we found a page on their site that reads "Gift Cards: Always a great choice!" What "a joke" of a retailer they are: I personally hope they go down a road for which there is no return.)
- Either they are just being nice, or, in a "nail in the coffin" move...
BROOKSTONE, the operator or 314 stores specializing in unique gifts and lifestyle merchandise (think of a more warm and inviting version of SHARPER IMAGE) has just announced, for a limited time, they will be offering a 25% discount (off of regular pricing) to any customer who presents a gift card, gift certificate, rewards card or merchandise credit for SHARPER IMAGE. This "exchange" is for in-store purchases only (not valid for online or catalog/telephone purchases). There are a few limitations --- all of which can be found on their web-site page at: http://www.brookstone.com/info/content.asp?cust_serv_id=416&cm_re=HDR*Prm*SI-GC.
Customers who present one of these items (gift card, gift certificate, rewards card or merchandise credit) will receive the 25% discount only --- the value on the gift card, gift certificate or merchandise credit is not calculated in the final purchase price. Think of it as getting something (25% discount) for nothing (the value of your SHARPER IMAGE Gift Card)...very smart, BROOKSTONE! (Anyone who does present either a SHARPER IMAGE Gift Card, Gift Certificate or Merchandise Credit will relinquish any claim they may be able to submit to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court administering the case.)
Shop with knowledge, and remember, the consumer holds all of the cards.
Ken Hawkins
The Card Shark
Please feel free to submit your thoughts and column ideas to khawkins@GiftCardTRACKER.com