Operators of the Kiggins Theater say the historic downtown Vancouver venue could close by the end of the month, due to slumping ticket sales and the prospect of a new sales tax on candy and soda that becomes effective June 1.
The dilemma got top billing this week on the marquee of the 74-year-old theater.
“We might be closing. The end of May. Keep us open. Show support,” read the black lettering above the entrance to the single-screen venue, operated by Vancouver-based Historic Movie Theater Corp. since 2005. The shop-worn theater has seen better days. Named after entrepreneur J.P. Kiggins, Vancouver’s mayor for 15 years between 1908 and 1935, the theater has operated at 1011 Main St. since 1936.
o WHAT: A vintage single-screen movie theater offering delayed first-run movies at discount prices.
o WHERE: 1011 Main St., Vancouver.
o WHAT’S NEW: Venue operator Historic Movie Theater Corp. may close the venue this month.
o WHAT: A vintage single-screen movie theater offering delayed first-run movies at discount prices.
o WHERE: 1011 Main St., Vancouver.
o WHAT'S NEW: Venue operator Historic Movie Theater Corp. may close the venue this month.
o YEAR BUILT: 1936.
o INFORMATION: http://www.kiggins.com/ or 360-737-3161.
o YEAR BUILT: 1936.
o INFORMATION: http://www.kiggins.com/ or 360-737-3161.
“We’re not making the money to be able to pay our employees and do what we need to do,” said Matthew West, one of two managers of the 500-seat venue since 2005.
West said he wanted the community to know about the theater’s struggle to survive the recession and an impending sales-tax extension he expects will cut into the profits of concession sales, the theater’s main source of revenue. Beginning June 1, state and local sales taxes of 8.2 percent will be charged on bottled water, soda, candy and gum — items that were formerly exempt from taxes.
The measure was approved in April by Washington lawmakers to help plug a $2.8 billion state budget deficit.
West said he is reluctant to make his customers bear the burden of extra costs, although the theater business will have to pay more for concession supplies.
“People are already complaining that our (candy) prices are too high,” West said.
He added that Historic Movie Theater Corp. has already lost money this year through a longtime program in which operators of the Kiggins partner with school organizations to sell pre-ordered tickets to movies. Called the Family Matinee Program, the 10-week offer provides school groups with a $3 donation for every $7 ticket sale.
The twice-a-year promotion did not fill the theater’s seats this year, which also affected concession sales and placed the movie operation in jeopardy.
“Every one of the movies still has to be paid for,” said West, who runs a staff of five theater employees.
For years, the Kiggins Theater has shown delayed-run movies at discount prices.
The art deco building is also a Vancouver landmark. It was designed by Day Hilborn, an architect who also designed the Clark County Courthouse, the Washington Mutual Savings Bank and the Clark Public Utilities building.
Like other historic theaters, the single-screen venue faces increasing competition from more modern theater facilities, such as east Vancouver’s lounge-style Cinetopia movie house. Movie theaters in general also face growing competition from other forms of entertainment, including pay-per-view movies and big-screen televisions that entice movie fans to stay at home.
