The Historic Grandin Theatre Launches New Concessions Area With ABC Component
ROANOKE, VA – The Historic Grandin Theatre is pleased to announce that our newly completed concession area will add the addition of an ABC component and is now open and ready to serve our patrons. Among the new products that The Grandin Theatre is bringing to improve our service are craft beer, wine, hard seltzer, and sparkling prosecco. Our new ABC component will be open Friday to Sunday from 3 pm to 10 pm and Monday to Thursday 5 pm to 10 pm.
“We are extremely excited to offer craft beer and wine to our patrons as they come to enjoy a wonderful film at the Grandin. This is very much a qualitative, cool-factor aspect to who we are and what we do,” said Grandin Theatre Executive Director Ian Fortier. “Beer and wine has been common in the movie theatre industry for many years now throughout the country, and we are glad to be able to bring it to our patrons in Grandin.”
The ability for the Grandin to serve craft beer and wine came through an actual piece of legislation that was passed in Richmond in the spring of 2017. Sponsored by Montgomery County Delegate Nick Rush, HB 1743 allows historic, nonprofit cinema houses in the Commonwealth to sell beer and wine and compete with for-profit corporate theatres for revenue, by being exempt from the ABC 50-50 law. Grandin Theatre Executive Director, Ian Fortier was chief architecture of the original draft language of the Bill put forward by Delegate Rush’s office. Affectionately known as “The Grandin Bill”, the legislation serves six buildings in the Commonwealth, including the Grandin, the Lyric in Blacksburg, the Byrd in Richmond, and a few others that fall under “historic” and “nonprofit”.
“We look forward to serving our patrons quality products they can enjoy during their cinematic experience, and opening a new and important revenue stream for the Foundation,” said Liz Lively, Grandin Theatre Board Member.
It is also significant to emphasize that as a local and iconic cultural center in Western Virginia, The Grandin wants to provide and serve their patrons locally produced craft beers. Two of them are provided by our corporate partnership with Blue Ridge Beverage and Deschutes Brewery, and the Grandin hopes to add many more to come in the near future.
About the Grandin Theatre
The mission of the Grandin Theatre Foundation (GTF) is to preserve the historic Grandin Theatre as a cultural and educational resource devoted to film and the cinematic arts for Western Virginia.
Media Contacts: Brenda Prieto, 540-521-7680, marketing@grandintheatre.com
Ian Fortier, 508-939-0304, ifortier@grandintheatre.com