Several different news sources are contacting Ambridge Family Theater bringing even more awareness to their business and the community.
A silver-dollar size piece of plastic that cracked has forced the Ambridge Theatre to close after decades of operating in the borough.
Owners Glenda and Rick Cockrum said the unit is more than 40 years old and regretfully there are no replacement parts available anymore.
The broken piece isn't the projector itself, which Glenda Cockrum described as "old work horses" from the 1930s and 40s that continues to keep going strong.
"What's happened is a piece of equipment from the 70s that actually moves the film through the projection unit, that's where the cam broke and we can't locate another one so we're down."
The broken piece isn't the projector itself, which Glenda Cockrum described as "old work horses" from the 1930s and 40s that continues to keep going strong.
"What's happened is a piece of equipment from the 70s that actually moves the film through the projection unit, that's where the cam broke and we can't locate another one so we're down."
Facing the transitioning cost to digital, Cockrum said they knew they were on the brink of closing, but thought they could stick it out until at least October. She said upgrading to digital equipment runs $50,000 to $75,000, but they located a company in Tennessee that found a system for $35,000.
With the condition of the 100-year-old building, she said investing into something so large and taking on another large mortgage didn't make a lot of sense, she said.
"This is it," she said. "We knew that we were hovering on the edge of closing due to the change over to digital and we were stretching it out."
Cockrum said the response from customers, patrons and friends on their Facebook page has been overwhelming. Last she checked, there were more than 8,000 page views and counting.
Many are asking the theater to start a crowdfunding campaign to raise the necessary funds, however, Cockrum said she's almost 60 years old, her health isn't great and neither is her husband's. She's hoping the right person or set of people can step up and save something that is "really near and dear to everyone's hearts.
Cockrum said they aren't in the business for the profits, but rather the love for the community. She's willing to train the person who is interested and wants to keep a family theater in town for the community.
"I think in all sincerity, it's time for a fresher set of eyes and newer ideas to possibly take this theater forward," she said. "...I need somebody to step up."
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With the condition of the 100-year-old building, she said investing into something so large and taking on another large mortgage didn't make a lot of sense, she said.
"This is it," she said. "We knew that we were hovering on the edge of closing due to the change over to digital and we were stretching it out."
Cockrum said the response from customers, patrons and friends on their Facebook page has been overwhelming. Last she checked, there were more than 8,000 page views and counting.
Many are asking the theater to start a crowdfunding campaign to raise the necessary funds, however, Cockrum said she's almost 60 years old, her health isn't great and neither is her husband's. She's hoping the right person or set of people can step up and save something that is "really near and dear to everyone's hearts.
Cockrum said they aren't in the business for the profits, but rather the love for the community. She's willing to train the person who is interested and wants to keep a family theater in town for the community.
"I think in all sincerity, it's time for a fresher set of eyes and newer ideas to possibly take this theater forward," she said. "...I need somebody to step up."
Like Ambridge Connection on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and sign up for our weekly newsletter.
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