Saving The Strand: What You Need To Know

Raising funds for the digital conversion of the Strand Theatre has been a grassroots effort with many local and seasonal residents providing an outpouring of support. The Save the Strand Committee is greatly appreciative of the funds, the ideas, the encouragement that has been been provided by dozens of residents and visitors and those with fond memories of the place the Stand has played in their lives. We thank you all.

Similar fund raising efforts are happening all over the country, and specifically in the North Country as movie theaters are faced with the reality of the end of 35 mm projection: The Hollywood in Au Sable Forks, Indian Lake Theater in Indian Lake, The Palace in Lake Placid, The Strand in Old Forge, to name a few, have all reached out to their communities to fund raise for digital projection. We are not alone.

The alternative? A dark, empty building in the middle of Main Street. The Strand neon sign has been lighting Main Street since 1937. The reasons for having the Strand open and showing movies again are multiple and obvious: local businesses are suffering now with the theater closed; dinners are down in neighboring restaurants, we are all missing out on our summer movies.

Another reality is that single screen movie theaters are not a profitable business, yet the owners of the Strand Theatre have made a commitment to keeping movies on Main Street, Schroon Lake, but, like other theaters that I've mentioned, they need the community's help to do so.

The Strand owners have contributed tremendously to this community by hosting events sponsored by Schroon/ North Hudson Historical Society, Adirondack Shakespeare, and the beloved annual Holiday Party for all the children of the town and beyond, to name a few.

Community support has been tremendous. We know and believe that these contributions from the broad variety of donors are given with the understanding that a landmark theater will continue to serve this and surrounding communities.

And, of course, celebrations will be planned and donors of all ages will be honored. We're just not there yet. But with the community's continued support and smiles, we will soon be meeting once again in front of our Strand Theatre talking about the latest movies to come to Schroon Lake. We just haven't been able to reach our goal yet. But we will continue with our mugs, shirts, and events sponsored by other local businesses. The committee thanks you all for your support and patience.

With great appreciation,

Emily Rossi-Snook
for Save the Strand Committee