May 11, 2011 5 min read

A popular business on Fort Myers Beach is set to make a return run at its original location on the south end of the island.

Beach Theater at 6425 Estero Blvd., is expected to re-open its doors with its four viewing rooms as early as this Friday or next Friday. The 272-seat theater, which features matinees and evening movies and offers a full menu plus beer and wine during their shows, decided to resume operations due to a great movie lineup this summer and gas prices expected to keep Beach residents and visitors more grounded and not driving to Fort Myers or Naples to view a new movie.

“We are shooting for May 13, but we have a lot of work to do. We definitely want to be open by May 20, when Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides debuts,” said General Manager Nick Campo. “It’s a matter of getting everything back in place, turning our gas back on and inspections to get us up and going.”

Estero Island’s only theater closed Sept. 7, 2010, after 10 years of operations. It is a past Best of Beach Awards winner for Best Place for Family Fun.

At the time of the decision, Campo said the reason the theater closed was due to the struggles over the past five years.

“It was a business decision,” said Campo, shortly before the business closed. “It has been 10 great years, but the last five have been a real struggle, and we no longer see the viability in keeping the theater open.”

But, with a great movie lineup this summer and gas prices expected to keep Beach residents and visitors more grounded, Campo believes the theater should prosper. After the premier of the new Pirates of the Caribbean, movies such as Hangover 2 and Kung Fu Panda 2 reach the theaters during Memorial Day weekend. Then comes the final movie for the Harry Potter series, Transformers 3, Cars 2, Super 8 and Cowboys and Aliens (two Steven Spielberg films).

“Those are going to be huge movies. That’s really why we decided to re-open the theater, because the summer slate of movies is just tremendous,” said Campo. “It probably was a premature decision to close the theater down. After reassessing, we decided it was in everybody’s best interest to re-open. I think it’s going to be a fun summer for the Beach.

“The only other option is to drive up to Fort Myers or Naples. But, with the economy and gas prices the way they are today, it really doesn’t make sense. We are going to do things differently, bring prices down to make it more affordable for the Beach residents and streamline the menu to make it more modern. We really want to make a run at it this time.”

Ticket prices will include $9 for adults; $7 for seniors; $7 for children under 12; and $7 for matinees.

Campo said the theater will be accepting credit cards this time around as well as providing online ticket sales. Most of his staff -including Manager Karen Cook- is also returning to work. Future remodeling featuring popular booth seating is tentatively planned for the fall.

Eight months ago, Campo said the ownership group, which also runs Marco Movies, would continue the upkeep on the building and pay the mortgage until another use or renter was found or the property sold.

The general manager stuck to his word. The building was rented out to St. Raphael’s by the Sea Anglican Church for the congregation’s Sunday worship services.

The then-newly formed parish in the Anglican church of North America held its first service on Sunday, Oct. 24, after receiving a generous grant from Christ Church Anglican of Phoenix, Arizona.

According to Campo, St. Raphael’s by the Sea is not going anywhere. The local Anglican Church will continue using the largest viewing room Sunday morning then store their ‘equipment’ before the Sunday matinee.

“They are wonderful people. As long as they want to be here, they are welcome to be here,” said Campo. “We’ll do anything we can do to keep them happy.”

The general manager is hoping to get his faithful customers back in the doors.

“I know a lot of people are really excited about us coming back. Hopefully, we get them back and the people who didn’t think about coming to come,” said Campo, who has begun a larger promotional push for the re-opening.

The closing of the theater saddened many locals who frequented the establishment. The 8-month hiatus was long enough for some.

“I’m excited. It’s one more reason for us locals to not have to leave our island,” said Beach resident Jenny Tardiff.

For more information, call 765-3333. To listen to the movie lineup, call 765-9000. You can also go to www.fortmyersbeachtheater.com or www.marcomovies.com to check out their websites.