COLORADO SPRINGS — There is a doors locked, but open for business plan at Kimball’s Peak Three Theater in Downtown Colorado Springs. COVID-19 motivated some unique measures to offer entertainment for loyal customers stuck at home and produce some cash flow.
Kimball's caters to cinephiles who enjoy independent and foreign films. The theater is one of a kind in Colorado Springs.
Now the projectors are powered down, seats are empty, and the concession stand is dark because of COVID-19. What started as completely closed, shifted to an option for customers.
Films shown at Kimball’s cannot be found on most home streaming services. Kimball's struck a deal with a distributor to offer films virtually. "They're on our website. As an affiliate link, we get a share, they get a share, everybody's happy,” said General Manager, David Lindsay, “The customer still gets to see great foreign films, independent films." You go to the theater’s webpage to pick a film and stream it.
It is not equal to revenue when the theater is open. Still, some cash flow is better than none.
There was also a revenue boost with very personal impact on the people who run the small theater.
When loyal patrons heard that purchasing passes and gift cards would help the theater make it through the COVID-19 closure, they did a lot of buying. "They came out and said we're not going to let you fail,” said Lindsay, “So we are doing everything we can to make sure that happens."
