R.I.P. Squirrel Hill
I wrote about this in the pittsburgh community, but I need to write about it here as well: The Squirrel Hill Theater has closed.
Anyone who knows me knows that I will always turn to a local, independent business before I venture to one of the big chains. Yes, The Squirrel Hill was a Cinemagic theater, but it was owned and operated by a local family, and was one of just a handful of theaters left within city limits. Of that handful of theaters, the majority (three) are owned and operated by Pittsburgh Filmmakers. Nothing against Pittsburgh Filmmakers -- I worked there one summer during college -- but they're a school and an art facility. Their theaters are not going to have the latest George Clooney or Meryl Streep movie -- they're going to show movies with subtitles. Movies with subtitles are awesome, but so is having a venue where you can see the latest blockbuster and still feel like you're supporting local neighborhood economies.
The last movie I saw was at The Squirrel Hill. I was one of maybe a half dozen people in the theater which, sadly, is how we've reached this point. Every Jewish Christmas we had to choose between two theaters -- The Squirrel Hill and The Manor. Now our choices are down to one.
R.I.P. Squirrel Hill.
Anyone who knows me knows that I will always turn to a local, independent business before I venture to one of the big chains. Yes, The Squirrel Hill was a Cinemagic theater, but it was owned and operated by a local family, and was one of just a handful of theaters left within city limits. Of that handful of theaters, the majority (three) are owned and operated by Pittsburgh Filmmakers. Nothing against Pittsburgh Filmmakers -- I worked there one summer during college -- but they're a school and an art facility. Their theaters are not going to have the latest George Clooney or Meryl Streep movie -- they're going to show movies with subtitles. Movies with subtitles are awesome, but so is having a venue where you can see the latest blockbuster and still feel like you're supporting local neighborhood economies.
The last movie I saw was at The Squirrel Hill. I was one of maybe a half dozen people in the theater which, sadly, is how we've reached this point. Every Jewish Christmas we had to choose between two theaters -- The Squirrel Hill and The Manor. Now our choices are down to one.
R.I.P. Squirrel Hill.