Galtier may show films again

[Scott Simon]

Jennifer Harrigan wrote:

<quoted text>

Scott, please stop posting. You are only embarrassing yourself with your continuing ignorance.

Cupcake, how little you know but how often it shows!

[blarney]

To all positive posters, with the exception of Mr Simon. If we all stop posting comments in response to his comments, he MAY stop. However, he seems to enjoy a sense of superiority and egotism that he feels no one else can claim.
I would simply say to Mr Simon, if you're unhappy about the POSSIBLE subsidy the theater may receive, or if you won't enjoy the types of films, go to Mpls. to enjoy the theaters, restaurants, etc that you do support. I don't believe anyone in St Paul will miss your lack of support for a family attempting to open a business, however educated they are in the film industry. You don't reach any goals unless you take the first step and they are making that step.
One begins to wonder if Mr Simon is jealous of their idea, their POSSIBLE subsidy or wishes he would have authored the idea.
If Mr Simon offered the name of the company he opened in Mpls (he claims he has a business there)I, for one, would probably not give him my business, just because of the negativity he expresses in this forum. I would choose a happier, more positive and hopeful competitor. I wonder if his current employees would also.
I have met Mr Palumbo and his son at a business seminar and their disposition is delightful. I can also see by Mr Palumbo's POSITIVE posts that he is gentleman enough to offer the olive branch (bottle of wine)to Mr Simon, which shows real class.
I believe I can be assured of a derogatory rebuttal and an attack on my character by Mr Simon, but following my own advice, I will NOT respond.

[Truth Seeker]

Wondering why Scott Simon chose the monicker of the NPR reporter. Heh! Maybe it IS THEE Scott Simon.

His comments are very good with regard to Mpls. downtown It is very sad to see the sl00000w death of Mpls, like a large animal slowly bleeding to death.

I've not been to a movie in the Block 3 gigantic theater complex for two years. And then I had an entire theater to myself one afternoon. I doubt if has got better.

City Center downstairs is a great location for a movie showing a surealistic downtown where all the business and people have disappeared. The rowo after row of smiling business people starkling contrasts with the long rowa of completely empty storefronts.

[brevity]

Mellers wrote:

<quoted text>
I don't know if you've ever been to the Fitz; I've been there 1/2 a dozen times and it's almost always full (mostly concerts). I don't disagree that Mpls is busier than St Paul, but this article is about reviving a movie theatre that hasn't shown movies in quite a long time. As a new downtown St Paul resident (6 months), I'm excited to hear about this! It's not us residents' fault that downtown is the way it is; many of my co-workers are envious of my downtown St Paul life and are considering moving here (I ran into a co-worker after work as he was touring various open-houses on foot).
Let's just agree that this is a good move for downtown St Paul. I applaud these efforts!

Mellers, I toured some of the so called downtown living quarters. Yikes! You can either live in a concrete hallway across from the farmers market or in the horrendous union condos at union depot. You must be a downtowner so you have seen some of those units. Which one do you think your buddies will move into. The 3000 square foot space with zero windows, the concrete hallway, or try and get on the eternal waiting list for a loft in the one of the artist units? Saint paul had its chance. They voted no for a twins ballpark and no to a billion dollar buiilding from troohein on the south side of river. They deserve the tumbleweed right now. Heck, They can't even figure out how to let anytime fitness open a health club.

[Laxster]

http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/470405

Take a look at the link above, it looks like Galtier Plaza Cinema will be hosting the Solstice Film Festival this year in late June.

Are the theaters opening sooner than reported?

[Moi]

I hope so! However, I believe there is significant cleaning and fixing that needs to occur in those theaters.. considering they have been out of use for about 8 years, I can only imagine the cleaning that needs to happen. The projectors probably would need to be checked out, seating and lights fixed, etc.

[StPaulNative]

Laxster wrote:

http://upcoming.yahoo.com/even t/470405
Take a look at the link above, it looks like Galtier Plaza Cinema will be hosting the Solstice Film Festival this year in late June.
Are the theaters opening sooner than reported?

That appears to be a misprint. The Solstice Film Festival will be at the Fitzgerald Theater.

[John Palumbo]

Moi, you're correct, there is cleaning and projector room updates necessary to get the theater in shape for full-time operation. New seating, sound, and concessions are also in the works.

The Solstice is using Galtier for three days in June. We'll work around them if necessary. We've already spoken with them about being their permanent home, next year and beyond.

Our projected opening date is sometime in August, if the stars are aligned, construction work is done on time, and the lease lawyers don't go into seclusion with the final documents. Any of these things may or may not happen when we think they might.

We'll be serving the best gelato on planet earth.

Enjoy!

[Scott Simon]

I'm not against the arts, in fact, I'm PRO arts. But I am against subsidy no matter if it is for a ballpark, a Mall of America, a circus school or a movie theater wannabe.

And let me tell you that it would take me less than 5 days to get the Galtier theaters up and running. The delay is to see whether the "grant" ----READ SUBSIDY comes through. So if you are foolish enough to believe what is printed here, you will ultimately deserve what you'll get, a subsidized failure.

BTW, I cruised the movie section of the paper on Sunday and saw that the Riverview Theater in South MINNEAPOLIS is showing a couple of 'art films' this week ... for $3.00! How can Galtier hope to compete with that? No organic, farm fresh, free range Gelato, only the best popcorn with REAL BUTTER in all of the Twin Cities movieland. Take off your sandals and join the real world.

[Sigh]

Scott Simon wrote:

I'm not against the arts, in fact, I'm PRO arts. But I am against subsidy no matter if it is for a ballpark, a Mall of America, a circus school or a movie theater wannabe.
And let me tell you that it would take me less than 5 days to get the Galtier theaters up and running. The delay is to see whether the "grant" ----READ SUBSIDY comes through. So if you are foolish enough to believe what is printed here, you will ultimately deserve what you'll get, a subsidized failure.
BTW, I cruised the movie section of the paper on Sunday and saw that the Riverview Theater in South MINNEAPOLIS is showing a couple of 'art films' this week ... for $3.00! How can Galtier hope to compete with that? No organic, farm fresh, free range Gelato, only the best popcorn with REAL BUTTER in all of the Twin Cities movieland. Take off your sandals and join the real world.

You have anger management issues & a deluded sense of self. You admit that you've never run a theater, but you could get this one up and running in 5 days. You go to subsidized theaters all the time, but have a grudge against this one. You claim it's about subsidies, then repeatedly talk about sandals, kumbaya, and gay movies. You've undermined all of your own arguments by continuing to talk. So perhaps you should stop. Then we'll all wait & see what happens, then report back in a year.

[Moi]

John Palumbo wrote:

Moi, you're correct, there is cleaning and projector room updates necessary to get the theater in shape for full-time operation. New seating, sound, and concessions are also in the works.
The Solstice is using Galtier for three days in June. We'll work around them if necessary. We've already spoken with them about being their permanent home, next year and beyond.
Our projected opening date is sometime in August, if the stars are aligned, construction work is done on time, and the lease lawyers don't go into seclusion with the final documents. Any of these things may or may not happen when we think they might.
We'll be serving the best gelato on planet earth.
Enjoy!

Gelato is great stuff! My friends and I are so glad this place will be opening!

I was in the old main screening room which had been converted into convention space last year for the Unity One annual member meeting. The way they redid that theater looked amazing! Especially awesome were those groupings of three lights they had on each one of the pillars! It was sort of space-age, yet really classy in there. Definitely a gorgeous venue.

Hopefully you'll be removing the teal and pink that pervades the rest of the theaters... I know it got good reviews in the 80s, but it looks dated and faded now.

Will those groupings of light fixtures be found in the other theaters when they are updated?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/piratejohnny/321... for those who don't know what I'm talking about.

So John, am I correct in assuming that talks with the Galtier management have been largely successful? Hopefully they will give you the same attention they gave to the opening of LoTo - you, like LoTo would definitely be an anchor tenant in Galtier Plaza. Do I dare say that perhaps Galtier management finds some inspiration from having these two tenants and starts to remarket and reposition the building in the marketplace once again?

I live in the building, and if you ever need any help, let me know! I was talking with my friends about this and they would totally be down to help out in whatever way we can! We are all just stoked for this place.

[I love this suburb]

Jimhill wrote:

Out of all the facilities you have listed, I believe the only one not subsidized is the Ordway (which is in Saint Paul, tehmmm tehemm).
After all, this grant money you are so opposed to would be for getting the facility going. You don't seem to object to facilities that were subsidized that you are going to be visiting!

The Ordway isn't subsidized?? I think you better check the facts.....they just received money in the bonding bill.

[Scott Simon]

Sigh wrote:

<quoted text>
You have anger management issues & a deluded sense of self. You admit that you've never run a theater, but you could get this one up and running in 5 days. You go to subsidized theaters all the time, but have a grudge against this one. You claim it's about subsidies, then repeatedly talk about sandals, kumbaya, and gay movies. You've undermined all of your own arguments by continuing to talk. So perhaps you should stop. Then we'll all wait & see what happens, then report back in a year.

I don't go to subsidized theaters all the time, what gave you that idea? And there is a difference between subsidized theaters and subsidized BUSINESSES! Have you thought about that? If Galtier was to become a subsidized theater, the grant would go to the owners of Galtier to reopen it. Instead the STAR grant is supposedly going to Mr. Palumbo to open (not RE-OPEN) a new business. This is what I --AND THE MAJORITY OF VOTERS, BTW-- are against. We are the same people who are against the "Light Rail to Nowhere" that is a huge waste of money and resources.

And as for the references to "sandals, kumbaya, and gay movies" it is to point out the idiocracy of the posters (among them Moi) who are more concerned with the light fixtures and the correct color scheme. i post these things not to offend, but to call attention to the futility of this whole idea. The idea that someone would choose their movie theatre NOT on the film that is playing; not on the price that is charged; not on the ease of close-by free parking; BUT ON LIGHT FIXTURES, COLOR SCHEME and GELATO, just points out the bare stupidity of many (not all) of the readers.

Again, I say it. If Mr. Palumbo wants to use 100% of his own funds; wants to take a second mortgage on his house; wants to TAKE 100% of the risk needed to re-open the Galtier movie theatres, then I will be there on opening night and first in-line. It is the waste of public tax money on this frivolity at a time when the economy is in the crapper that bothers me and that is the ONLY thing that bothers me. I could care less whether the color scheme is teal or solid black. Put a sheet on the wall and press the start button on the projector, but don't ask for tax money to get it going.

And for those who keep suggesting that I stop posting, what are you afraid of? Do I make too much sense? Will a larger audience eventually find this discussion and join my cause? Does the truth hurt when read here? You can't stand BRUTAL HONESTY.

[Moi]

Scott, you are NOT giving us brutal honesty. If you were being brutally honest, you would head down to Galtier Plaza and speak with the shop owners about the property management, and how their businesses do. The ones who are located there actually do brisk business, but can attest to a lackluster management team. Sampan, Ficocello's, Galtier Convenience, Subway, etc have all been there since the beginning, and the owners of those locations have stated time and time again that it was management, not market conditions which have been the issues with Galtier.

Anyhow, interior decorations are important. Not everyone likes to sit in the musty and dirty theater in Uptown. And talking about them is more productive than reading your ill-conceived, impractical, dishonest, fallacious arguments.

"We are the same people who are against the "Light Rail to Nowhere" that is a huge waste of money and resources."

PS: Do your homework. Light rail would be completely replacing Route 50 and a large chunk of Route 16. University Avenue is the least subsidized bus route in the Twin Cities. Hardly a "Light Rail to Nowhere".

Want me to be brutally honest? Here's a bit of BRUTAL HONESTY:

You're just against St Paul getting anything nice.

[John Palumbo]

Moi,
I agree with you about the 4th theater space, it is gorgeous. If I'm not mistaken the three-light grouping was original equipment when the Mann family opened Galtier Cinema 4.
While our wall covering/lighting details haven't been finished yet, we will be updating the lobby/concession area in it's original art deco theme. It won an architectural award when it first opened.
The initial meeting with the landlords was amiable. We hear back from them tomorrow with their response to our initial lease proposal. It will be exciting, one way or the other.
If our presence in Galtier, in some small way, serves as a linchpin for further development in Lowertown/Galtier, that would be wonderful.
Thank you very much for the offer of help. We really do appreciate it. People from residential buildings near Galtier have contacted us as well, with offers of volunteers for the theater. Since we have started this venture, we have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support and generosity from Saint Paul. I am happy to be a lifelong Saint Paul resident.
Our family has looked into residential options in Saint Paul and may well move downtown in the (near?) future. We love the cafes, shops, restaurants, farmer's market, Sci Mu, X, Ordway, Mn History Center, parks, and landmarks, etc. It might be a great time getting to work via the elevator.

[Moi]

"BUT ON LIGHT FIXTURES, COLOR SCHEME and GELATO, just points out the bare stupidity of many (not all) of the readers."

Are you even reading the posts at this point? I don't think anyone here is arguing that those alone are the reasons someone would choose a theater. But they do play a factor. A lot of my friends live in Shoreview, and we now go to the Rosedale cinemas instead of the White Bear Lake theaters because they are a lot nicer, for the EXACT SAME PRICE.

And you have to admit, Galtier is a gorgeous building. http://www.cyburbia.org/gallery/data/6185/334...

How about you do a fact-finding mission before you post here anymore? Your drivel is absolutely insane.

[Lunatic]

John Palumbo--Good luck on the art-house theater! I always thought that St. Paul was ripe for one of those.

What sucked about the old Galtier Cinema is that they showed the exact same kind of uninspired Bruce Willis/Adam Sandler crappola that suburban monsterplexes thrive on. Not only did that attract the kind of teen-aged cretins who trash theaters and drive away more civilized patrons, but no downtown theater can even compete against the 40-screen monsterplexes in suburbia.

A few years ago, there was a Buster Keaton/Mary Pickford retrospective at the Seventh Place Theater (now the Park Square Theater). There was live piano accompaniment, and the theater was surprisingly full. Proof that people are starving for something apart from the usual Hollywood crud.(Too bad that Adam Sandler's films weren't filmed on nitrate stock ;)

Just my $ 0.02...

[TRUE Brutal honesty]

The possibly re-opening of Galtier Plaza's movie theaters has been quite discussed and is making a favorable impression among those of us who live and work downtown, as well as the greater Twin Cities area. A movie theater and a grocery store are the two missing downtown amenities people have looked for in our downtown, and repeatedly identify in surveys. All told, I'm certain that the Palumbo family will make going to the movies (and perhaps expanded conversation afterward) the experience that downtown begs to provide. Assuming they are indeed successful in leasing that long-empty space under reasonable terms, I hope and truly believe St. Paul will reward their efforts quite generously.

This proposal's key remaining issues concern lease negotiations with a key downtown property owner. Galtier Plaza occupies a special place in the history and geography of downtown. Hopefully at this key moment the building's current management will be especially mindful of that special place the building holds:

Will Galtier - with a painstaking design, located at the juncture of the residential and business populations downtown, at the juncture of the skyway system and Lowertown historic district, on Mears Park, and with integrated underground parking controlled by the building - recognize its own unique place in downtown?

Galtier is a stunning building in a key downtown location, born unsteadily during the 1980's S & L crisis, was constructed with major City subsidy, and tapped City-subsidized financing as recently as four years ago for restaurant improvements. As the beneficiary of past City cooperation, will Galtier Plaza be a partner now?

Will Galtier be willing to work with the City, the Mayor's office, City Councilmember, a recognized real estate professional, the community, and two St. Paul natives passionate about a new theater to improve downtown?

Will Galtier - a clear beneficiary of City cooperation - agree up front to friendly and favorable lease terms to open up a space built as a theater, a theater space that has sat fundamentally unused for most of the past decade, and court an anchor that could help fill other significant vacancies in the building and beyond?

Our downtown is lucky to have a very strong proposal:
...We have a viable business plan.
...We have an awesome local family to open the theater.
...We have a viable market for these uses.
...We don't need special subsidies for the theater.
...We have plenty of excess space in Galtier and beyond.
...We have a gorgeous, well-located space for the theater.

The major possible stumbling block here cuts to downtown's fundamental weakness. It is the lack of support, creativity, and more than anything institutional cooperation to reinforce the sense that all sectors of downtown sink or swim together.

I hope we don't stumble. We all have a role to play. And I, among many others, want the outcome of lease negotiations to be a sign that we're very, very serious about building up our downtown together.

[Scott Simon]

Moi wrote:

Scott, you are NOT giving us brutal honesty. If you were being brutally honest, you would head down to Galtier Plaza and speak with the shop owners about the property management, and how their businesses do. The ones who are located there actually do brisk business, but can attest to a lackluster management team. Sampan, Ficocello's, Galtier Convenience, Subway, etc have all been there since the beginning, and the owners of those locations have stated time and time again that it was management, not market conditions which have been the issues with Galtier.
Anyhow, interior decorations are important. Not everyone likes to sit in the musty and dirty theater in Uptown. And talking about them is more productive than reading your ill-conceived, impractical, dishonest, fallacious arguments.
"We are the same people who are against the "Light Rail to Nowhere" that is a huge waste of money and resources."
PS: Do your homework. Light rail would be completely replacing Route 50 and a large chunk of Route 16. University Avenue is the least subsidized bus route in the Twin Cities. Hardly a "Light Rail to Nowhere".
Want me to be brutally honest? Here's a bit of BRUTAL HONESTY:
You're just against St Paul getting anything nice.

Dearest Moi,

I've spent lots of time in Galtier as a customer and a vendor. I used to attend Scott Hanson's Comedy Club that was located there and I dined at one time or another in all the restaurant options. I even bought several of the kitchen fixtures and equipment including a massive walk-in cooler from some of the failed businesses in Galtier. So don't tell me I don't know the building or that I need to do my research. Been there, done that.

As for the light rail, we'd be better off buying every person who rides routes 16 and 50 a new car. We would save money and give them an opportunity to get out of St. Paul any time they want to. No one in Mpls. or Western suburbs wants to go to St. Paul except to see an occasional concert or hockey game. We're not riding down University Avenue on the light rail in search of Gelato! Get serious.

[Scott Simon]

John Palumbo wrote:

Moi,

Thank you very much for the offer of help. We really do appreciate it. People from residential buildings near Galtier have contacted us as well, with offers of volunteers for the theater. Since we have started this venture, we have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support and generosity from Saint Paul.

I'm sure you know that if you accept any STAR GRANT funding to help subsidize your new business, you will NOT be able to employ "volunteers" and that all workers will need to be paid PREVAILING WAGE as a condition of you're receiving the grant. This is the way the DFL/(read UNION goons) want it done and by God, that is the way you will do it. So the idea of everyone coming together on a Saturday to hang wallpaper and lay carpet, simply isn't going to happen. And if you try to get away with it, you will risk violating the terms of your GRANT agreement. Welcome to St. Paul!