Alamo Drafthouse Closes All Locations
Local chain pledges $2 million to assist those affected
By Richard Whittaker, 8:30PM, Mon. Mar. 16, 2020
The Alamo Drafthouse, the Austin-based art/exploitation chain that has become a national force in film, has announced that it will close all Drafthouse-owned locations and the majority of franchises for the duration of the coronavirus outbreak.
In a statement just released, the Drafthouse announced that all locations except for Winchester, Virginia, are closed until further notice.
Both New York locations were closed last week, with employees placed on furlough. The chain, in a statement, said that they will be reaching out to staff and suppliers over the upcoming days and weeks to work out next steps. More immediately, the Drafthouse has committed $2 million to the Alamo Family Fund via the AlamoGives initiative, and will be working with the Emergency Assistance Foundation to speed up and streamline distribution of funds to those affected.
The statement adds that all tickets, whether purchased through the Drafthouse directly, Fandango, or in person, will be refunded. Season pass memberships will be suspended, and any unused portion of current subscription periods will be credited when the Drafthouse reopens.
Here's the statement in full:
We are deeply saddened to announce that all Alamo Drafthouse Cinema corporate-owned locations, and all but one* franchise-owned locations, are now closed until further notice. All shows have been canceled, and all tickets will be refunded.This news – this situation – is devastating.
When we re-open after this unprecedented and indefinite hiatus, it will be in a dramatically altered world, and in an industry that’s been shaken to its core. We’ll be in close contact over the coming days and weeks with our teams, suppliers, and colleagues on what these closures mean and what we plan to do next.
This has already been a trying time for our entire team – servers, kitchen staff, bartenders, projectionists, concierge crew, managers – everyone who makes Alamo Drafthouse what it is. To try and assist as many staff members as possible, we’re working with the Emergency Assistance Foundation to expand and streamline our Alamo Family Fund in order to be able to respond to the increased need for emergency assistance by those affected. Alamo Drafthouse, through the AlamoGives initiative, has committed up to $2 million to this relief fund. We will have more information on this very soon.
To our guests, colleagues, and friends – we wish you the best, and we look forward to serving you again soon. Thank you. We will meet again.
In typical jaunty Drafthouse form, they leave us (for now) with something to brighten these dark days:
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April 20, 2024
