Ode to the Sunnyside Cinema

In the heart of Sunnyside, Queens, right off Queens Blvd. there lies a hole-in-the-wall rundown theater where I find myself many nights... and days. This bargain theater shows new releases, with a weekly midnight premiere. For 5 dollars, yes FIVE dollars, you can watch yourself a new movie. Kids, adults, senior citizens, students, they don't discriminate. Just five bucks will get you in before 5pm, any day of the week, except on Tuesdays, where its 5 dollars all day.

Photo: Aaron Landry

Now you must be wondering how they manage to stay in business offering such low low prices while other theaters are charging 12, 14, even 16 dollars for a movie. Well, here are some tips from the Sunnyside cinema on how to cut down costs to save YOU, the consumer, some much needed dinero.

1. Hire one person to run the ticket stand, concession stand, make popcorn, set up the movie reels, and check tickets.
2. Don't train this individual on how to make popcorn or project the film onto the screen. (Its ok, no one will notice stale or unpopped popcorn, flat soda, melted icees, or a crooked screen with these prices.)
3. Pay this person minimum wage. Under the table.
4. Don't hire a janitor, the theater will clean itself.
5. Out of signage? Just write the name of the movie on copier paper with a pen and tape onto the door.
6. Cash only. (No credit card fees. Wooo!)
7. Never remodel. Ever.

This still doesn't answer how they stay in business with only 2 patrons per showing...