TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J.—Now Showing: “Local Theatre Saved From Extinction!”
A new Township Theatre will open April 9 in Washington Town Center, and in addition to first-run movies, its owners have big plans for events that will include local families, corporate events, and perhaps musical acts.
The couple, David and Laura (Wehner) Rose, of Mahwah managed the Ramsey Theater for eight years. When the theater’s owner didn’t renew the lease, the couple sought other opportunities, and came upon the closed Washington Township Cinemas, 249 Pascack Road, which had fallen victim to the Covid-19 economy after serving decades of moviegoers.
“Dave and I are thrilled to announce that we have a new home—in my hometown! We have taken over operations of the shuttered Washington Township Cinemas—now the new Township Theatre! We are working hard to bring the best movie-going experience that we have been known for, to you, our dear clients. Our staff is raring to get back too!,” Wehner Rose posted last week.
She added, “It’s been a long and trying roller-coaster ride of a year. But God works in mysterious ways and closes doors that are meant to be closed and opens doors that are meant to be opened. We are grateful and so excited.”
In previous coverage of pandemic-impacted businesses, Washington Town Center mall property manager Alex DiChiara had noted the closure of the theater and wondered about how that space might be reconfigured.
The couple met with DiChiara recently and found their new location in the Township.
“Very quickly we decided to take a chance…this industry is raring to come back and we’re willing to take this chance,” Wehner Rose said.
Doors down is a Dairy Queen franchise, whose owner told Pascack Press at his summer 2019 Planning Board hearing that he was excited to open next to the movie theater, for the extra foot traffic.
The next nearest theater operation was Westwood Cinemas/ Pascack Theatres, which is closed and listed for sale, on the borough’s Center Avenue.
In 2020, Hillsdale’s Demarest Farms inaugurated its drive-in Demarest Farm Movie Night.
Township Theatre is now booking private party movie showings and birthday parties.
Wehner Rose said that she and David hope to introduce entertainment including “live” events such as stand-up comedy nights, birthday parties, corporate events, and even live music down the road. Another possibility: class reunions, where photos of classmates can be up on the big screen.
“The Township Theatre has so many more opportunities for us as business owners,” she told Pascack Press last week.
She said the new Township Theatre features ample parking, more seats, an additional theater, a large concession area to feature hot pretzels and slushees, plus space for an after-movie pizza party.
“We are constructing a real platform-stage for our live stand-up comedy nights and we are planning on bringing in more special events: live music, performing arts, and more,” Wehner Rose said.
Wehner Rose said she grew up on Jackson Avenue in the Township, one of five Wehner children. She attended Washington Elementary School and was a 1987 graduate of Westwood Regional High School. She said she also attended her first movie, “Airport ’77” at the Washington Township Cinemas about 44 years ago.
She noted the cinema building was built in 1966 and said she and David liked the “community feel” of the theater space.
David said while theater capacity allowed is around 35%, he and Laura hope that the ongoing vaccine rollout and continued covid safety protocols will lead to an increased capacity sooner rather than later.
With David shuttling back and forth to the home improvement store for supplies, Wehner Rose said they are sprucing up the interior “to put our own personality on it.”
They said they hope to bring in the latest Disney movie, “Raya and the Last Dragon,” soon.
A website is taking shape. For more information, find Township Theatre on Facebook.
The former Township Cinemas, with three screens and seating for 600, in a Google Street View image from 2016.