Photo: Madison Rogers/WBZ NewsRadio
SOMERVILLE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Two historic local movie theaters are about to get some new owners.
A group of longtime employees at the Somerville Theatre and the Capitol Theatre in Arlington is taking over both establishments from Richard Fraiman, whose family has owned the cinemas for decades.
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"As far as the day-to-day operations, yes, we are stepping aside and leaving it to the next generation," Fraiman told WBZ NewsRadio Friday.
The group, CSB Theatres, Inc., is expected to take ownership of both theaters, as well as the Crystal Ballroom above the Somerville Theatre, within the month.
"What it means is that the theaters remain what they are, they’re community based theaters, they’re important to their communities," said Ian Judge, creative director at the Somerville Theatre and the president of CSB Theatres.
Judge grew up just down the street from the Somerville cinema and has worked there for more than twenty years.
"I used to love going here for Three Stooges festivals and Bugs Bunny and things like that," Judge recalled.
CSB Theatres also includes Jamie Mattchen, director of operations for all three venues who has spent a big chunk of her life at the Capitol Theatre.
"I have staff now that works for me that’s like, 'You did my fourth birthday party,' and I’m like, Oh my god," Mattchen said.
The Somerville Theatre first opened in 1914, while the Capitol Theatre celebrates its centennial this year. Both cinemas are about to enter a new age with some familiar faces behind the wheel.
"I take that very seriously and I think that means we’re doing something right," Mattchen said. "I think we offer something different than the big chains, we’re really deeply rooted in our communities."
"It’s pretty remarkable for the [Somerville Theatre] to still be here, and for the theater really to still be doing the same thing today that it was doing a century ago," said Judge.
WBZ's Madison Rogers (@MadisonWBZ) reports.