Crucial Next Steps to Save the Playhouse

Thank you all so much for signing the petition to Save the Larchmont Playhouse - we've gotten more than 600 signatures in 3 days -- a sure sign of how beloved the Playhouse is, and how hard we'll work to save it! The next step is fundraising: a number of families have spearheaded Save Larchmont Movies and they are working very hard to raise pledges toward the goal of a competitive bid of $1.4 million (there are already several bids on the property and the seller plans to decide on June 30, just a few days away). We believe we can do this with your support. Pelham, Bedford, Pleasantville and Stamford have all saved their historic theaters through fundraising- - Larchmont can, too! Here are a few helpful details about the plan to purchase the building, from Ellen Zuckert of Save Larchmont Movies. 1) If we get pledges for $1.4 million we could make a bid for the property. We could form our own 501(c)(3) organization and both purchase and operate the theater (with a board of trustees and staff). 2) If we get pledges for $1.4 million, we could also partner with a pre-existing not-for- profit, like the Picture House in Pelham (which had already expressed interest through the recent Kickstarter) or the Jacob Burns in Pleasantville. 3) Alternatively, we could work with a local investor to buy the building and lease the space to a film company. That film company could be a for-profit organization OR could be a not-for- profit. The Bedford Playhouse has this structure, creating a not-for-profit to work with the real estate company that owns the theater. If any of these options work we can then get to the creative part: reimagining the use of the theater; reducing the screens to two and adding a restaurant or cafe; showing independent and classic films as well as first-run movies; programming for kids and special events. We will only collect money from those who have pledged if the organization operating the theater (whether by lease or through ownership) is a not-for- profit. We have a long way to go in raising the money, so please pledge as generously as you can. And in addition, we need volunteers to help in the efforts and help get the word out. We have a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SaveLarchmontMovies/ Thank you for your support - we hope you'll join us with a pledge!