When was the last time you went to the movies and paid less than $8 for a ticket? The West Shore Theater in New Cumberland not only offers a great price but also an old time movie experience.
The theater sits on Bridge Street, adding historical appeal to this small town. Walking into the quaint building feels like you are back in the 1940s. From the paintings on the walls and ceilings to the authentic fixtures, the building reflects the period in which it was built.
“Movies offer a chance to experience a different life and the vintage theater just enhances that sense of other-worldliness,” said Pamela Reilly, a regular West Shore theater moviegoer.
This antique theater has been a family run business from the beginning. Fred Bollen and his mother, Violet, became partners in this venture in 1986. They purchased it from the Freister family, the original owners of the movie theater.
Bollen bought the theater because of his love for movies and becoming a business owner had always been a dream. After 25 years of ownership, Bollen reflects on the good and the bad of being a small business owner in a competitive market. As for Violet, she is now in a nursing home due to Alzheimer’s and is no longer able to be a part of their theater company.
“We’ve had good years and bad years. We’re at the mercy of the product, weather and other events in the area,” Bollen said.
Area events like the Farm Show, concerts and sporting events are among his competition. Popular television programs such as Dancing with the Stars and American Idol are also contenders to the theater, especially because television can be viewed at the comfort of one’s home. Regardless of this, the West Shore theater continues to bring in an audience that enjoys this small town production.
“I love this theater,” said Katie Shradley, a New Cumberland local. “Its casual, traditional, great price and they have amazing popcorn.”
Reilly said, “I love the atmosphere and the historic ambiance of the theater itself. It is part of what gives downtown New Cumberland its identity and feel.”
The theater is a great place to go with your family, friends or your significant other. Bollen wants people to be able to still go to the movies without worrying about cost. He would like to maintain his low prices; however, with an old building comes maintenance issues. He hopes to replace the screen, put solar panels on the roof and go digital in the future, which may possibly mean a small increase in ticket pricing.
Owning the theater gives Bollen full control over how it is run, which sets it apart from others in the area. He picks popular movies customers will prefer and sets prices for tickets and concession items. Movies shown here are ones that have recently left the mainstream movie theaters.
Aside from deciding what films to play, he is also responsible for most other tasks from selling tickets to bookkeeping. Bollen’s wife, Deb, along with his best friend Jeff B. and his wife, all work hard to keep the theater running smoothly.
“Every business has its downfalls,” Bollen said. “I still want to own it forever.”
For patrons, this movie theater is old-fashioned and beautiful. It brings in a crowd that is both old, young and in between. It adds culture, history and traditional value to the town. “So many other communities have lost their theaters and that is a big loss,” said Reilly. “So long live historic movie theaters and the people who keep them an active part of the community!”
West Shore Theater, 317 Bridge St., New Cumberland, is open daily including holidays except Christmas and Halloween Parade night. Showtimes are 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., seven days a week, with a 2 p.m. matinee on weekends. Tickets are $3 and $2.50 on Tuesdays. For movie information, call 717-774-7160 or check boxofficemojo.com.
