DALLAS — We knew Alamo Drafthouses were coming back. Now we know when.
The five temporarily shuttered Alamo Drafthouse locations in North Texas are all reopening over the next month.
The company in a release on Friday announced opening dates for all five theater locations after their franchise partner declared bankruptcy earlier this summer. Here are the dates:
- Richardson: Aug. 9
- Lake Highlands: Aug. 13
- Cedars: Aug. 16
- Denton: Aug. 20
- Las Colinas: Aug. 23
All five theaters that were previously owned by the franchisee are now owned by the Alamo Drafthouse company.
The theater reopenings aren't the only welcome news for moviegoers. Alamo also plans to add 4K laser projectors and Dolby Atmos sound in a new "The Big Show" auditorium at the Richardson location by Labor Day. The Las Colinas location will also get 4K laser projectors, as well as premium recliner seats, by spring of next year.
The company, which happened to be acquired by Sony Pictures in the time since the North Texas theaters closed, stepped in after the abrupt franchisee bankruptcy and closures of the five North Texas locations, plus one location in Woodbury, Minn.
According to a press release from Alamo, all affected venue staff "will be made whole for lost wages that they were owed prior to the closures."
The theater chain said they offered former franchise employees interviews first, and those rehired will "receive a more robust benefits plan with immediate eligibility, including access to daily pay, substantial 401k match, paid medical leave, accrued PTO, free mental health services."
Alamo will be holding a hiring fair for the past employees on July 23 at the Lake Highland location. This is where the employees will be made whole for lost wages they were owed befor the closure and give them first access to interviews.
“Our number one goal throughout this difficult period has been to do right by the former teammates and get back to providing the exceptional cinema experience our guests deserve,” Alamo Drafthouse CEO Michael Kustermann said in the release Friday. “We’re thrilled to say that that goal is in sight and that we’ll have teammates and guests back in those theaters very soon.”
Customers are also getting some benefits. The company announced it will hold soft openings for the theaters, offering promotions and discounts to moviegoers that are to be announced. For people who are owed ticket refunds due to the sudden closings, the company says they will give out free ticket vouchers.
Also, Alamo Drafthouse Season Pass holders will get a free month of the service if they choose to reactivate their subscription, the company announced.
Since the closings, Alamo Drafthouse was acquired by Sony Pictures.