As the number of movie screens declines in NYC’s pricey market, niche theaters replace multiplexes

From the March issue: When a movie theater dies in New York City, fans don’t let it go easily. Witness the rise of Washington Heights Arts & Movies. The 600-person volunteer movement is dedicated to convincing owner Lloyd Goldman of BLDG Management to reopen the Coliseum Cinemas in Washington Heights, which closed at the end of 2011.

“We see the Coliseum’s potential to become an economically viable, world-class cinema,” said Jeff Hoppa, a Washington Heights resident and cinephile who kicked off the movement with a “Save the Coliseum!” Facebook page late last year. The group is working on a proposal to present to BLDG Management, which did not respond to a request for comment. [more]