Sonic Equipment Company has touted the slogan, “Don’t let the sun set on your digital conversion opportunity.” For a couple of exhibitors that meant just a little more. The Sunset Theatre in Connell, WA and The Sunset Theatre in Sumner, IA, both small town independent single screen theatres that add value to their communities, were faced with conversion or possible closure and the sun really setting on their business.
Thanks to some creative planning and Sonics’ one-stop conversion opportunity for independent theatres, both have found a way to keep the Sunset shining brightly into the future. Both Theatres are scheduled for conversion at the beginning of May.
“I'm so excited about our upcoming conversion. The folks at Sonic have already been so helpful. Being a small town single screen theatre, it was not easy to make it happen because of financial restrictions and the small amount of Virtual Print Fees that the movie studios are willing to pay us. However, with a lot of effort and help from Sonic we were able to do it,” said Dirk Reinauer, Owner of The Sunset Theatre in Connell, WA. “We have 20 years invested in this theatre and this town. A movie theatre without a projector is pretty worthless, so we were determined to get it done and keep showing movies.”
"The management and staff at Sumner Sunset Theatre appreciate the professionalism, onsite direction and guidance given by Eric and his team. We look forward to our continuing business relationship," commented Doyle Wegner, President of Sumner Sunset Theatre Board.
“The opportunity to work with Doyle and the folks in Sumner, IA and with Dirk in Connell to convert their theatres fits right into our long-time commitment to the single screen, community and independent theatres across the country,” said Eric Olson, Director of Operation for Sonic Equipment Company. “We are delighted to begin our long term relationships with both of these unique theatres”
As Sonic continues to partner with community-owned theatres and independent exhibitors during their transition to digital cinema, Sonic has been able to provide exhibitors a unique and customized program which includes a broad selection of equipment from top manufacturers in digital cinema, installation by certified technicians and a custom Preventative Maintenance program. To date, Sonic as converted more than 600 screens across 25 states to digital cinema including over 50 community-owned and single screen theatres. These numbers continue to grow weekly.
