BROCKPORT- The Brockport Strand Theater has been a staple in the Brockport community for over 100 years. Being one of the oldest movie theaters in the United States still releasing new movies, the theater continues to sell tickets even though they are against newer, bigger and modern competition.
Being one of the four Strand movie theaters located in the Rochester area, the Strand’s rich history combined with the comfort and cheap prices continues to get people in the seats.
The Strand first opened to the public 1916, making it the second oldest movie theater in the United States that shows new released films.
Starting off as an office building, the Strand developed into a theater showing silent films with big projectors. After over 100 years the movie theater still attracts moviegoers and people who enjoy the rich history. One of these people is SUNY Brockport Professor and film producer Carvin Eison.
“I think the rich history is so important in a country because those are the traditions, those reflect the values that historically were present in a community going back 115 or 120 years,” Eison said. “That rich history supports the community that is available now. The community that understands its value but also is interested in supporting local businesses and supporting the local community by visiting and supporting with their dollars like looking at movies or buying popcorn and candy.”
However, the Strand is competing with new modern movie theaters such as Tinseltown which has a 70 foot wide screen, reclining seats and 17 other separate theaters.
“I believe in supporting local businesses,” Eison said. “But also, if there was a film like Gladiator II for example, I would want to see that on a great huge screen to see all the detail and see all the particulars of contemporary filmmaking.”
Not only are modern movie theaters a threat to the Strand business, but streaming as well. According to a survey by ENGINE, it found that 72% of Gen Z and 71% of millennials would rather stream a movie from home than pay for it at the movie theaters. This also doesn’t account for people who watch movies illegally from pirated websites.
While the new big movie theaters and streaming services are the more modern options, the Strand has something going for them that the others don’t offer which is the affordability.
Everyone benefits from the cheaper prices, especially college students such as SUNY Brockport junior Keith Docherty.
“It’s a lot more affordable,” Docherty said. “I think the tickets were around eight bucks when I went and it’s great for the community of Brockport because AMC and the other commercial theaters are further away.”
While the Strand has had a some renovations in the past, it still sports its classical look. They still have marquee signs on the front of the building with neon lighting inside and out to instill that late 1900s aura.
Along with the things we see on the outside there are things on the inside that fit the classical theme. SUNY Brockport Chief Engineer Michael Smith got the chance to help with the SUNY Brockport Student Showcase held at the Strand.
“It was a whole new experience for me. In all of my time of TV I have never done anything with any of that stuff,” Smith said. “I was a little concerned, because a lot of our stuff has a frame rate almost doubled what they use, but it looked good.”
The Strand is one of the biggest assets in all of Brockport. While the Strand still competes against more modernized competition, it still instills comfort and nostalgia which keeps bringing residents back.
