Revamped Theater Thriving
River City Cinemas was purchased in March by Oasis Entertainment of Port Orchard, Wash. Since buying the theater, the 5-year-old company has added digital sound, new concessions and computerized ticketing.
The cinema is one of 19 businesses in Kootenai County within the motion pictures industry. That industry employs 148 people, with an average of eight jobs per company.
Here is a closer look at River City Cinemas, as explained by co-owner David Fazende.
Q. How and/or why was this business started?
A. Oasis Entertainment has actively been pursuing existing theaters or sites and came across the Post Falls Cinema, which is a very nice theater but had management difficulties. We took over in September under a management agreement, then bought the theater in March.
Q. How many movie theaters do you have and in what locations?
A. We have locations in Oak Harbor, Mount Vernon, Shelton, Seattle, and we are building in Ocean Shores and Anacortes. Those two theaters will open in November.
Q. How many employees do you have?
A. 130 employees total, with 22 in Post Falls.
Q. What kind of training do your employees need to have?
A. We like to hire people with little experience. That way we don’t get bad habits from other theaters. We hire smiling faces and people who like to take pride in their job, since working in a theater is fun.
Q. What is your estimated annual payroll?
A. $110,000 in Post Falls alone.
Q. What is your estimated economic impact on the North Idaho area?
A. We provide the younger adults with employment. The money earned hopefully is spent in the Post Falls area.
Q. How has your company grown?
A. We have doubled in size the past year in the number of theaters. We acquired three theaters last year, including Post Falls.
Q. What is your long-term goal in the North Idaho area?
A. To make the River City Cinemas the theater of choice in North Idaho, to get involved in the community and to support our local schools.
Q. What is your biggest challenge? How do you compete with larger movie theater chains, such as Regal and AMC?
A. We look for small- to medium-sized towns, which the larger companies would overlook. We offer the best grade of popcorn and oil, instead of the cheapest. We provide special showings for birthday parties or functions. Customer service is very important to us, as is training on how customers are to be treated.
Q. How has technology changed your industry?
A. Very soon movies will be totally digital, which will provide the clearest picture and perfect presentations. Digital sound has made a big change in the industry. Every theater built must have it to keep up.
Q. What changes do you predict in the future?
A. Digital projection, which is right around the corner, but also satellite programs so that theaters can also show concerts, football games, etc.