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Sisters movie theater hopes 007 release date sticks, could make for a big comeback

Movie's name is telling for struggling theaters: 'No Time to Die'

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Sisters Movie House is a regional favorite.

Just ask Ken and Pula Kerfoot, who say they travel from Redmond to see movies there.

The two said Tuesday they've seen quite a few movies at the theater, which has been hit with a tough economic year.

Paula Kerfoot explained what draws the two to make the trip to the theater, which has been closed since spring.

"It's a little more small town, it's very comfortable," she said. "The staff is very friendly and they run first-rate movies. And their prices are a little better."

The owner of the small theater, Drew Kaza, said Tuesday that being closed for so long has made for rough waters.

"Well, we're kind of hanging on by our fingernails," he said. "To be honest. we're a mom-and-pop operation, a classic mom-and-pop operation."

Kaza said he, like a lot of movie theater owners, have seen blockbuster movie releases cancelled and are hoping the new 007 feature -- named "No Time to Die" -- will revive business for them. The movie's release date was pushed back earlier this year to Nov. 12.

Kaza has been watching closely and is hoping the studio doesn't pull its release, as he wants to open the theater in November, in time for the blockbuster.

"I think it's the difference between us making any money here in the end of the year and none at all," he said.

Kaza added that the movie going forward could make for a big comeback.

"Of course, most movie theaters make something like two-thirds of their money in the last two or three months of the year," he said. "That's
how big November and December are to us"

Kaza said the movie theater industry has had a rough year, and not too much in the way of help from the government, due to requirements to receive aid.

"Were kind of the forgotten industry in this whole thing," he said. "Restaurant and bars have a big lobby, but small movie theater owners don't. There's only about 600 of us in the whole U.S."

Kaza said he's hoping that the RESTART Act, which has revised requirements for small-business loans, will pass through Congress, to the president's desk as a lifeline.

He said that with with more flexible requirements, they could finally be eligible for financial help.

Article Topic Follows: Central Oregon

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Blake Allen

Blake Allen is a multimedia journalist for NewsChannel 21. Learn more about Blake here.

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