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Twin Cinema in Central Illinois For Sale
posted by
sperry101
on
July 25, 2006 at 4:30 am
Twin screen movie theater in small Central Illinois town draws from surrounding population (8 mile radious) of about 20,000 people. It has a live in apartment and it’s only $389,000.
The 5,900 sq ft building is beautiful and only 10 years old. Each screen (12 x 28) seats 200 people. It is located off an Illinois highway with a traffic count of 7,000 cars per day. There is also a 1,000 sq ft projection/filming room with its own living room, kitchen and bedroom. You could live at the theater. The business takes very little effort to run and has a concession area that has high margins.
Also, movies don’t cost you a penny in most cases. The studio only takes a percentage of your ticket sales – so you can’t lose. Theater is only operating about 20 hours per week as the current owner does not have the time. The theater would prosper with more showings and a little more marketing. This is a fun business opportunity perfect for movie buffs or those wanting an easy to operate business. Real estate and all projection equipment, concession equipment and training from a knowledgable owner is included. For more information contact Dan Sperry at (217) 718-4238.
Comments (53)
I take it Dan Sperry has NEVER OWNED a movie theatre before !
lol……….thats funny.. how true joel!
Hey Dan, This is Mark the owner of the twin. First run movies average 60% of ticket sales for the opening week, second week usually 50%. Trick is knowing your market and what movies will have strong legs to bring in at a lower percentage the third week. Pirates of the Caribbean first week out grossed $4,300, this is with showtimes of every eve. at 7pm and a mattinee on sat. & sun..Yes our showtimes definitley needs expanded but as you stated I work full time for Boeing Defense Systems and have little time to myself, plus it is really hard to find good and trustworthy help!! The building was constructed in 1995 and is a dutch gambriel style barn with theaters on both ends and concession area in the middle. The upstairs has a 1,100 sq. ft. apt.with a spiral staicase leading to the concession area. 45 minutes from Saint Louis and is an excellant MoM and PoP operation. Thanks Mark
Theater is – OLD RED BARN THEATER -Benldc ILL
Hello Mark…My name is Carl Haynes (wife Mary of 39 years) might be interested in your cinema…We currently operate a 3 screen cinema in Tazewell, Virginia…Been here 4 years without a lease, owner refuses to fix anything…Now he wants us out so he can tear down building and build an apartment complex…I have 50+years of experience in all phases of theatre operations…We dont mind relocating to Illinois…Call me on my cell phone (276-701-6901) or 276-979-1600 or email me at [email] Would you consider lease/option to buy or purchase at a reasonable price with a reasonable downpayment with owner financing…if so, then think about it…We dont mind living inside a theatre…That is what we are doing now…Thanks for your time…Carl Haynes
Joel Weide you said “I take it Dan Sperry has NEVER OWNED a movie theatre before!” and longislandmovies echoed it with laughter. May I ask what your qualifications are when it comes to the movie theatre business?
the point was in the listing…….“an easy operating bsns” thats the farthest from the truth if its done correctly!
Gladly….. I have managed and owned theatres across Kansas for the past 30 years. I have worked for the Dickinson , Mann and Bill Warren organizations. It just not as simple as described above. You CAN and DO loose on pictures, it just like any retail business, bar , gas station, grocery store even a funeral home, it does take work. Just simply giving a percentage of the gate to the film company doesn’t mean that you are flush with cash at the end of the night. In the 1970’s we made enough money on a film called “JAWS” that we paid for one 4-plex and built another, only to loose enough money on a picture called “MC ARTHUR” to put us back into debt. The movie business is fun, no doubt about it, it is challenging, but in todays enviorment you are nuts to work for yourself, let some else have the headaches. This particular theatre may very well be a great investment…..until some guy builds 15 screens down the street, then how quickly do you think you can get your $390,000. investment back. I think Dan Sperry has made a great sales pitch, unfortunately his description of the amount of time and ease of making money is probally a little kind…
JOEL ‘INVESTMENT BACK “ AT THE CURRENT PRICE AND CURRENT GROSS $73,000.OO PER YEAR IT WOULD TAKE YOU ABOUT 12 YEARS TO MAKE BACK YOUR MONEY AS LONG AS NO NEW COMPETITION OPENED!
Thank you Joel for the insight.
Thats exactly what I am getting at. In today’s business world if you have the cash and dont have to borrow any of it, you are probally ahead to put that $390,000 somewhere else. I know that there are business that will make your investment back, and this may very well be one of them, but as long as too much doesn’t change, and it of course will, I dont care what business you invest in its a tremdous risk and takes a lot of commitment. As theatre owners, and I’m a former one. we will have a lot of competition for the entertainment dollar and the competiton down the street can be just the least of the worry. Thats why I found the ‘sales pitch’ for this theatre so interesting.
joel ,looks like a very nice theater and i am sure the people are very nice BUT………………………this is way over priced for use as a cinema ….buy the property and use it for something else maybe worth it …The theater is only grossing 73,000.00 year
BACK OFF —– THE GUY IS JUST TRYING TO SELL A THEATRE. THE MORE DIRT YOU THROW, THE LESS YOU HAVE TO STAND ON!! If you guys have so much time and experience in the industry why are you bashing a fellow theatre owner who has likely been through the same trials and tribulations as you all. Do you not have anything better to do than cruise websites and be negative.
We all know it is a rough business, as is anything these days – competing with the big guys. This guy did what none of you would have the guts to do. It sounds like this is a small town theatre and probably was more concerned with doing something for the community and not for mere profit. Would any of you do it – likely not. And it is possible to make some money here. There are not many businesses where you can get your hands on the same “hot” item that all of the nation also has available w/o putting some money up front to do so. And in that regard – we dont sink a penny up front. Nothing is easy, but if you love what you do it can be and at this scale is is probably a simplified operation. As with anything, work involved and many of you like to complain about it – but is much different working for yourself than somebody else. I know I have done both. I admire this. So good luck to you sir and ignore all the ignorant comments.
doc ..i see your new today……….we tell it as it is ………..nice theater overpriced….is this your theater i see you joined at the same time as the theater was posted?
doc ..i see your new today……….we tell it as it is ………..nice theater overpriced….is this your theater????
Long Island Boy – The theatre is in god’s country – Central Illinois and the cost of living and real estate likely alot less than where we are from and at only 20 hours is half capacity and i dont know how you think you know the gross sales but even at that, operate at full capacity and the thing could be doing $150k and more. Plus you have living quarters – how much money do you make from your house? plus if it is small town what kind of competition do you think is going to come to town? duh! Shoot – you could even have a day job and run the thing at night. Why are you giving the guy a hard time, do you own the theatre in the next town? I dont think long island boy is much of a business man – perhaps that is why he is the way he is!
lol/listen newbe/do your homework his grosses are listed on loopnet as 73,ooo.oo……………
No it is not my theatre, I just don’t like your comments. Go kick your dog instead.
nice …you wont be on this site long/////////////////////
My perspective is from several areas. I operated a theatre in a small town in Kansas. Yes I had a day job and ran my theatre at night. Yes there is competition in a small town, Friday night football, Friday night basketball, and if the kids have a winning season,…it’s just much more difficult, and yes the competiton does come to town, it did in my case, plus a major lake 10 miles west, and you live and die by the farm economy. Trust me the next worst thing to having a Wal-Mart in your community is one 34 miles away where people can drive to it. I sincerely hope this gentlemen does sell his theatre, power to him. What we are talking here is just plain movie business sense. This is a cut throat business, profit margins can be thin, I just felt that the realtor whom posted message on this site makes it sound just a little too good, but if he can find a buyer, CONGRADULATIONS and welcome to the business world. The studios will educate you at what ever percent you are willing to spend.
very well put joel… i tend to let people get me angry.i need to work on that!
I know the feeling….. dealing with the studios will do that to you.
Joel, thanks for posting your knowlege and insite. This is Mark with “ The Twin Cinema ”, you have several correct points. You can lose money on movies and it is not as simple as Dan Sperry had stated. In a small rual twin cinema you really have to know your market, and how the time of the year and the product ( movies ) thats availible effect the bottom line. As far as someone building a 15 screen multiplex down the street, Karasota’s Theaters in 1998 built a 12 plex 22 miles to my south, Yes it effected me for a couple of years, but I’ve seen a return in business especially since gas prices have gone up and the 12 plex’s admission is double and their concessions are triple to what we charge. This is why and where a small rual twin cinema has to take the advantage! Running a small rual twin cinema compared to a multi screen is so different, you have to have a direct hit with only two products at a time and give your customer a bargin for their hard earned dollars. The multi-plexes are well known for costing you a fortune for a simple nite out!!! As far as my asking price, the building and property was appraised in 1995 for $375,000. As I stated before our showtimes are cut in half mainly because I leave for work at 4:30 am and return at 4:00pm and then opperate the theater. As for longislandmovies – You are not at all like Joel Weide, yes you might be somewhat knowlegeable. This web site was created for a reason, and that reason was for the heart and soul of the treasured movie industry, yes even the small guys like me. My wife and I beleived in the small town entertainment venue and wanted to give our surrounding communities the afordability of taking thier families for a night out without costing them an outradious price. I DON’T KNOW WHERE YOU GOT YOUR FIGURES, BUT, YOU ARE DEFINETLY UNPROFESSIONAL!!!Thanks for your time Mark
i got the figures from your ad on loopnet – online – do i need to post a link?
This was public info ,but i am sorry if you are upset that i posted it on this site.
long island boy – like I said, I only opperate the business 22 hrs.per week. It really amazes me that you sit on your ass all day watching the web so you can tell people how great and knowlegeble you are!! Doc has me peged and he also has you peged!! It’s an amazing world – you have people that are doers and then you have people that sit on their ass and tell everybody their doers. Go kick your dog MARK
Those who know me on this site are well aware of my movie theater history ,run over 43 theaters in ny CITY AND LONGISLAND AND FLORIDA,BEEN MGR ,DM ,PROJECTIONIST ,FILM BOOKER AND SELF EMPLOYED WITH 14 LOCATIONS………And never tried to sell a bsns with a ad like yours .
dock and dan are the same person ….or so it seems…………
any pictures of the theatre??
Longislandmovies…How old are you?
Started in the movie bsns when i was 15 years old as an usher and worked my way up the old fashion way………….
Longisland,ovies…The question was: How old are you?
Longislandmovies…The question was: How old are you?
odd question…………….
Longisland, its not an odd question, but you tell me why it is odd? Telling me your age will tell me alot about you.
i see you have asked that question before on other theater posts….
i see you have asked that question before on other theater posts….
Tell me which ones Longisland…And are you going to answer the question?
feb 27 th devon theater and he did not give you an age…….that line of questioning is a set up for?????
if you read closely Longisland…Jack Ferry did give his age, which was 41. RG didn’t. Why do you refuse to tell me your age? If you started in the movie business at age 15 you must now be, what all but maybe 22
lol ——————your bad on your research john again, how could i have all those jobs a be 22….i AM GOOD BUT NOT THAT GOOD!!!
lol…ok…guess I am talking to a brick wall
JOHN tell me about your theatre history…………..
i seeeee
Dan and Mark are the same? in the first comment to dan, He says hey dan this is mark from the twin>? its signed Dan Perry? one in the same, i am confused,,, i think
Be careful on dealing with the owner, he does change his mind set several times on what he wants, he gave one deal, then changed it again, not saying that it in itself is wrong but one does not like having details change again and again, and, Dan and Mark are the same people, there emails are the same. thanks
they also have a new screen name also -will post it when i find it again…….the whole thing very strange…….
thx long island, i thought at the top was,,, kinda wierd dan and mark using same ‘’ posted by' he had just made our company a deal, then changed it again, i said no thanks, it presents problems already,,,,
This is Mark owner of The Old Red Barn Cinema. I have waited several weeks contemplating whether to respond to the comments of sctheaters and longislandmovies. When your trying to come to a lease agreement with a company ask yourself how many red flags are being exposed. First if a company wants a discission in 12 hours, second if the company can not give you any history or profile of his company ( said he had nine theaters but would not name them or the locations) Third when I called a friend who owns a theater and stated that he had dealings with Chalet Theaters befor ( tried to sell him a cinema that he did not own- flipping prophets) and also stated to call the economic developement in Havana Illinois. Forth when I talked to Havana they just said to proceed with extream caution and that they believed Chalet Theaters broke that lease. So many red flags, I am happy that this deal went sour, I feel that the sc in sctheaters might stand for scam. Oh, Dan Sperry is my realtor and my comments earlier was to cover his incorrect comments in the add. It realy shows how much of a perfessional business man sctheaters is when you try to slam a fellow theater owner in his own add. Mark at “ The Old Red Barn ”.
Is this thing still for sale? The whole I don’t know…THEATRE…got lost in you boys pissing contest.
I like to come back to old posts when i have new info……Theater is no longer a theater and is now being sold as a banquet hall…
I had this one dead on!
good going LongIsland! i did not think it would sell either
This was a real interesting situation, as with any transaction do your homework, Kick the tires and buyer beware!