Alamo Drafthouse for New Mission Theater?? (Los Angeles, San Francisco: appointed, real estate, home)

[migol84]

This better damn well happen. San Francisco is in dire need of a good movie theater.

San Francisco

San Francisco’s Historic New Mission Theater Might Become An Alamo Drafthouse
Posted on Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 by Germain Lussier

Los Angeles might be the movie capital of the world, but another city in the same state could be the first in California to open an Alamo Drafthouse. SFist.com is reporting there’s a proposal on the table to turn San Francisco’s historic New Mission Theater into a five-screen Drafthouse. However, because the theater – which has been closed since 1993 – is a historical landmark, a Historic Preservation Committee must first approve a proposal the property’s owner and Alamo executives have devised. That will go down on Wednesday. Read more after the jump.

[mayorhaggar]

It's been a parking lot for as long as I've lived here, IIRC. It has a cool look and is supposed to have a really nice but damaged interior (unless it's been totally stripped out). Could be a cool place to go but it's a pretty dumpy location.

[skyao]

i lived in Austin for a few years and liked the Alamo Drafthouse. On the weekends they would should College Football games, which was always alot of fun.

I am not sure how their business model works out here given the price of real estate and rents but hope it works out for them..

[migol84]

i'm surprised not many people have commented. san francisco could do with a cool theater like alamo drafthouse. i know where this theater is and if alamo moved in they'd totally refurnish it and preserve it just like they're doing with ritz theater in austin. this is a very good thing for san francisco especially for the mission. and it's funny because i was talking about this with a friend of mine a few months back about how cool it would be if alamo opened up a theater here in san francisco. we even thought the mission would be the perfect neighborhood for it. now lo and behold. i hope it pulls through. it will easily be everyone's favorite theater next to probably castro or roxy, whichever you'd prefer. plus they serve good food, good beer, good wine selection. their guiness shake is awesome. san francisco could very well do with a place like this! it would also very easily take away a good number of customers from the amc theaters.

[migol84]

It's happening everybody. Get ready to get stoked. This is going to be everyone's favorite theater once it gets built. Count on it!!!

Alamo Drafthouse Details Plans to Restore San Francisco’s New Mission Theater; Founder Tim League Explains the Company’s Origins | /Film

[migol84]

Here is the facebook fanpage...
https://www.facebook.com/AlamoMission (broken link)

and the blog on the theater website...
http://drafthouse.com/blog/entry/an_..._san_francisco

[clongirl]

Originally Posted by migol84

This better damn well happen. San Francisco is in dire need of a good movie theater.

San Francisco

San Francisco actually used to have tons of great movie theaters. Many have closed down because people decided they wanted to spend their $ on 14plexes, drink holders and comfy chairs.

Unfortunately the chains seem to becoming the norm and although the place looks pretty cool and I like the fact that the theater will retain it's original charm, it's still sad that it had to be purchased by a chain from Texas. I worry that these kinds of places attract a lot of folks that don't know, care or understand the difference between independently owned and a chain designed to look independent.

So my feelings are mixed--the same way they were mixed about Starbucks when there were so many other great locally owned cafes for a cup of coffee. I suppose I'd rather it become something rather than just sitting there vacant, though.

[migol84]

Originally Posted by clongirl

San Francisco actually used to have tons of great movie theaters. Many have closed down because people decided they wanted to spend their $ on 14plexes, drink holders and comfy chairs.

Unfortunately the chains seem to becoming the norm and although the place looks pretty cool and I like the fact that the theater will retain it's original charm, it's still sad that it had to be purchased by a chain from Texas. I worry that these kinds of places attract a lot of folks that don't know, care or understand the difference between independently owned and a chain designed to look independent.

So my feelings are mixed--the same way they were mixed about Starbucks when there were so many other great locally owned cafes for a cup of coffee. I suppose I'd rather it become something rather than just sitting there vacant, though.

Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. One thing to take notice though is that Tim League, the owner, is from the Bay Area. This is basically his home and opening up a theater here in San Francisco has been a big dream of his. This location is going to be the only theater outside of Austin that is specifically owned and operated by he and his wife. That being said, this is going to most likely be a special place and he's very likely going to see to it personally as he does with the local theaters in Austin that it maintains a local feel. I actually have a strong feeling that this theater is probably going to be way better than the one's in Austin.... and that says a whole lot that should make San Francisco excited and Austin a bit jealous.

Yes, it is a chain... but keep in mind that the reason why this theater is so popular is because it functions more as a neighborhood theater and not like those 14megaplexes that you talk about and everyone hates. That means that this theater will be run by local San Francisco programmers and it will maintain a unique San Francisco blend. It will most likely work with the local community and certainly will cooperate with film festivals and events that take place here in San Francisco. It's also going to cater specifically to film buffs and creative types and will contribute back to the community in so many ways.

Essentially, there is nothing cookie-cutter about this place that is going to borrow from Austin except that it's going to take the same elements and blend them here. You're going to love it being here and I can assure you that based on all the theaters I've been to this is going to be one of the best in the City.

Heck, even Los Angeles is jealous of us now. There is nothing "corporate-like" about this company's function. The only corporate thing there is about it is that the movie-goer should have a great movie experience. This is a big deal to them. That means, no talking, no texting and certainly ZERO ADS! I've been to the one's in Austin so many times and they are by far the best theaters I've ever been to. And it's THE #1 REASON why I miss Austin. They are quite a fun place to go to. Their food is good and they have a great selection of beers and wines on par to just about any bar. So while I understand you're mixed-feelings, I will not be surprised that you're going to welcome it as a benign theater that will only want nothing but to compliment this great neighborhood. Count on it!

edit:
especially when you have many computer nerds, film nerds and artists and such already volunteering and interning to work for the place, you know it's a huge deal. i'm just surprised that no one is talking about it on the forums.

[clongirl]

I'm getting the sense that this is a cleverly designed advertisement more than anything else which may be why nobody else is talking about it.

[migol84]

Originally Posted by clongirl

I'm getting the sense that this is a cleverly designed advertisement more than anything else which may be why nobody else is talking about it.

No actually people are talking about it...just not on here on the forums. But if you click on the links everyone there seems to be excited and all my friends on facebook who know about it are excited too. Why wouldn't anybody be excited about it... I don't think you realize the goodness this theater is going to bring. San Francisco needs a real theater. This is it! Plus... judging from what all Tim League has done he has never disappointed.