ESSEX 5 CINEMA
GRAND OPENINGEssex Cinema 5
Manager: Jim Good
Owner: Paul Sanchez
Tel: 804-445-1166
Build it and they will come.
Essex Cinema owner Paul Sanchez (l.) joins Linda Lumpkin, Herb Aman, and Mayor Ed Hammond at Thursday's film cutting at Thursday's day early grand opening.
Since the Daw Theater closed, Tappahannock citizens have missed a local movie theater, a refuge place for rainy days and weekend nights when the 50 minute drive to Massaponax or Richmond is just too long.
On Friday, August 11 Tappahannock moviegoers got their wish, as Essex 5 Cinema opened its doors in Tappahannock. A special sneak peak of the theater was by invitation only to Chamber of Commerce members on Thursday. Chamber members and their families and friends received free movie passes and all-you-can-eat hot dogs, popcorn and soda before a ten minute preview set up in theater 2.
Essex 5 Cinema employee Michael Gray (l.) hands movie passes to two Essex County citizens who showed up on Thursday to get a sneak peak of the new theater.
"I feel like a little kid," giggled Essex County Circuit Court Clerk Gayle Ashworth who attended the screening with her husband Jim. "This is so much fun - It's great to have a movie theater again!" Like many local citizens, the Ashworths were renting movies regularly and hope the new cinema will curb their appetite for rentals and draw them out of the house more often. "It sure beats driving 50 miles to see the same movie in another town."
The new independent cinema features five screens in Dolby™ Stereo Sound. Located in Essex Square Shopping Center between "Cut & Play" and a SEARS catalog store opening soon, the movieplex will show feature films as they are released nationally. A concessions stand with fountain drinks, buttered popcorn, and candy is available inside. Adult admission price $6.00; children age 11 & under and senior citizens $4.00.
Essex Square Shopping Center owner Herb Aman (r.) and his wife pose with contract worker Micky who worked rigorously to ensure the theater would be ready for opening day.
Shopping center owner Herb Aman had this to say about the new cinema, "It is an honor to work with Mr. Sanchez on this newest addition to Essex Square Shopping Center. Essex Cinema, I hope, will remain a lasting assett to the Tappahannock-Essex County business community. The cinema will play a vital role in shaping the economics of our area, helping to bring visitors and new business to Tappahannock. I have many friends from the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula who are planning on dropping by, and I know others will too."
Cinema owner Paul Sanchez thanked Aman and those in attendance on Thursday. He added, "I hope you will come often - and buy lots of soda and popcorn!"
Call 804-445-1166 for the movieline.
The County offers business developers and investors a wide selection of sites available for building and improvement along with several existing buildings, shops and office centers ready for immediate occupation.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
R. Gary Allen
County Administrator
Essex County
P.O. Box 1079
Tappahannock, VA 22560
Phone: 804-443-4331
Fax: 804-443-4157
Email:llumpkin@crosslink.netLinda E. Lumpkin
Assistant County Administrator
P.O. Box 1079, 205 Cross Street
Courthouse Square
Tappahannock, VA 22560
Phone: 804-443-5241
Fax: 804-443-4157
Email:llumpkin@crosslink.net
