Lights go down for last time tonight at theater

Annabelle Robertson / The Item Bobby Gaston, 13, and Alex Leasure, 11, buy popcorn and Cokes for the last time at Sumter Value Cinemas. The boys have been attending for years with their parents.

By ANNABELLE ROBERTSON
Item Staff Writer
arobertson@theitem.com

A popular Sumter movie theater will close its doors today.

Sumter Value Cinemas, formerly known as Movies 3, will screen its last shows tonight.

"Seems like every time we get something good in Sumter, they shut it down," said Mendi Cribb, 35.

Together with her daughter Robyn, 12, and friends and family, Cribb said that she came to Sumter Value "at least once a week" — sometimes more.

"We would often come and see two or three movies at once," she said, with a rueful smile. "We could see three, and it was still cheaper than one at the regular theater. We love it. Now there's only going to be one movie theater in Sumter."

John Leasure, 40, agreed.

Coming out of the theater Friday night with his family, he said he was not happy to see it go.

"It's good to have a place to go that doesn't cost too much," he said. "Especially in this economy."

Leasure said he could bring five people and get drinks and popcorn for everyone for about $40.

"I'd spend $40 at the other place just to get in the door," he said. "I don't know what we'll do now."

For manager Dave Reifinger, 63, it will be the camaraderie that he'll miss most.

Annabelle Robertson / The Item Akasha Wilson, 20, serves up one last tub of popcorn for customers at Sumter Value Cinemas. The theater has its final run of shows tonight.

"I'll miss the people and my employees. I made a lot of friends with the customers," he said.

"I've really enjoyed working here," he said. "I love interacting with the community and all the people who live here. I always enjoy seeing our regulars."

"Definitely the people," he said. "I'll really miss that."

Like Rhonda Barrick, another longtime employee, Reifinger and Neil Hunt have been with the theater since it opened three years ago. They were all employees before it changed hands as well.

"It's going to take some getting used to, not being there," Hunt said. "It's part of my routine."

The closure leaves Reifinger, the theater's only full-time employee, and about half a dozen part-time workers without a job.

Reifinger, who has been in the movie business since 1980, says it's probably time to put away the popcorn.

"I guess I'm going to just retire, get my Social Security," said the 63-year-old, "and move back to Pennsylvania."

Most of the others, including Akasha Wilson, 20, say they'll probably look elsewhere for part-time work, although they're not hopeful, given Sumter's high unemployment.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Sumter County's unemployment rate at the end of September was almost 14 percent. Clarendon and Lee counties were even higher.

The national rate was 9.8 percent.

The theater's last shows will be "G-Force" (rated PG) at 9:10 p.m., District 9 (rated R) at 9:20 p.m. and "G.I. Joe" (rated PG13) at 9:25 p.m. Tickets are $1.99.



Contact Staff Writer Annabelle Robertson at arobertson@theitem.com or (803) 774-1250.