Toronto's Royal Cinema has been closed since the beginning of the pandemic, and fears about the theatre's future spread today on Twitter after the local Bar Volo announced it would be operating a new location out of the Royal's lobby. Luckily for movie lovers, the Royal Cinema has now clarified that it has not closed down and will be reopening when it is able to do so.
In a statement to Exclaim!, co-owner Dan Peel shared the following statement:
As you know the theatre has not been operating since the middle of March 2020. In order to best utilize some of the venue in today's environment Bar Volo will be operating out of the lobby of the Royal and operating a patio this summer on College Street. Meanwhile the theatre itself has been completely renovated and awaits the time when we can once again open for screenings and live performances.
Bar Volo also clarified the confusion, tweeting that it would be sub-leasing the concession area and lobby but not the auditorium. Bar Volo plans to support the theatre, not replace it. Also, Bar Volo's location in the Royal is permanent and not simply a way to tide the business over until the end of the pandemic.
In a statement to Exclaim!, co-owner Dan Peel shared the following statement:
As you know the theatre has not been operating since the middle of March 2020. In order to best utilize some of the venue in today's environment Bar Volo will be operating out of the lobby of the Royal and operating a patio this summer on College Street. Meanwhile the theatre itself has been completely renovated and awaits the time when we can once again open for screenings and live performances.
Bar Volo also clarified the confusion, tweeting that it would be sub-leasing the concession area and lobby but not the auditorium. Bar Volo plans to support the theatre, not replace it. Also, Bar Volo's location in the Royal is permanent and not simply a way to tide the business over until the end of the pandemic.
We are sub-leasing the concession/lobby, not the auditorium. Our goal is to maintain & enhance the integrity of the theatre w. our food/drink offerings. We are working w. the landlord & theatre to do this. The facade has been renovated & waiting the day to have crowds again!
— Volo (@barvolo) June 15, 2021
