Town To Look For New Movie Operator For New Canaan Playhouse

NEW CANAAN, CT — The New Canaan Playhouse, which has been closed for most of the year due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, is looking to close permanently, a move that will prompt local officials to search for a new movie operator.

Bow Tie Cinemas, which has operated the movie theater for years, recently notified First Selectman Kevin Moynihan that it wants out of its lease, Moynihan announced Tuesday at a Board of Finance meeting.

"We are working on finalizing a lease termination agreement on amicable terms," Moynihan told Patch Wednesday. "For Bow Tie, [discontinuing] to operate in New Canaan appears to be just an economic decision given COVID and the disruption in the movie distribution business."

The search for a new operator of the movie theater is only in the preliminary stages, but Moynihan said the town has some potential leads.

"We are just beginning to look at options for an operator, but we've had discussions in the past few years that we can pursue now that Bow Tie will be giving up their future lease options," Moynihan said.

>>Did you like that story? Invite your friends to subscribe to Patch.

Patch reached out to Bow Tie for comment but did not immediately receive a reply.

The popular movie house, located in the heart of New Canaan's shopping district on Elm Street, has been a fixture in town for decades. It closed in March when coronavirus restrictions were implemented, re-opened briefly during the summer and closed again as Hollywood struggled to release new films, writes the New Canaan Advertiser.

Bow Tie continues to operate movie theaters in Norwalk, Stamford, Trumbull and New Haven, and also in four other East Coast states and Colorado.

"We appreciate Bow Tie's years of commitment to operating in New Canaan and regret that they cannot continue at this time," Moynihan said.