West Theatre finally reopens

GRANTS, N.M. - Slowly but surely, things are starting to reopen again in Grants, New Mexico – one of those was the West Theatre on Santa Fe Avenue.

The theatre has maintained business during the past few months by offering curbside services for movie theater snacks on Saturdays. This has been successful, with many cars lining up almost every weekend to purchase buttery popcorn, hot pickles, sour candies, and flavorful slushies. Now the time has come for the snacks to reunite with movies for the normal theater experience, and community members were excited.

West Theatre officially held their reopening night on Friday, May 14, after 14 months of shut down. The evening featured Tom and Jerry: The Movie, doors opened at 6:15 p.m. with a 7 p.m. showtime.

“Keeping with the Cinema Safe guidelines, masks will be required when moving around the theatre concessions, bathroom breaks, etc. Once seated feel free to remove your mask and enjoy the show. Seating will be limited to 33 percent of capacity; we seat 540 patrons normally, [so] we are now reduced [to] 178 patrons,” according to the theatre’s Facebook page. West Theatre is currently awaiting the arrival of new credit card machines, so the policy was cash only until the machines are installed.

Many excited patrons had arrived by 6:30 p.m. for the re-opening. Two were grandparents attending with their grandchild.

When asked how it felt to be able to attend West Theatre again, the grandfather said, “Oh man, you wouldn’t believe… words can’t express [how it feels] to bring our grandkid to the movies. Finally! We’ve been waiting. Our option is every time we go to dinner, we like to go to a dinner and movies – it’s finally time the doors got opened.”

Another couple pointed out how the reopening gave them something to do again without having to drive to Albuquerque. They also said they were glad to be “returning to a bit of normalcy.”

A family with two young children said that it felt great to be back and they could not wait for the popcorn and the movies.

Although physical smiles could not be seen in the darkened audience area, the excitement in all their eyes made their joy quite evident.