COLDWATER, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — All of Michigan’s movie theaters are closed during the stay-at-home order, but one in Branch County is asking the governor to allow it to reopen.
The owners of Capri Drive-In Movie Theater say they have come up with a plan on how they can safely resume operations while maintaining social distancing guidelines for customers and staff.
They have now sent the plan to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s office, hoping that she classifies their movie theater as an essential business or allow exemptions for drive-in theaters.
Co-owner Susan Magocs told WWMT that the family-run business is better prepared than traditional movie theaters to accommodate visitors during the outbreak.
Movie-goers can roll into the cineplex without leaving their car, and while a physical snack concession stand will remain open, it will only be available to a limited number of people at one time.
Magocs say the theater has also partnered with fanfood.com to allow people to order concessions over the phone to encourage social distancing.
Theater staff will also be required to wear masks under the owner’s proposed reopening plan.Right now the owners hope to keep the 56-year-old theater, a fixture of the southwest Michigan city, alive during the shutdown.
Magocs said that if her theater remains closed they may eventually have to sell the business at some point down the line.
She is encouraging supporters of the business to contact the Governor’s office to voice their support for reopening.
