Bellmore movie theater owner celebrates reopening after 7-month shutdown

Movie theaters across Long Island are getting ready to welcome back customers, including one in Bellmore.
It's one of the few industries still shut down because of COVID-19, but starting Friday most of them in New York will be allowed to reopen.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that movie theaters can welcome customers back inside — as long as they keep capacity under 25%, with no more than 50 people per screen.
The exception to this is New York City and hot spot areas, where theaters still must remain closed.
Masks and social distancing will be required unless people are eating or drinking in their seats.
Bellmore Movies and Showplace had a ribbon-cutting, using an actual film reel, after being shut down for more than seven months. The historic movie house was built back in 1908.
CLICK TO WATCH: News 12's Kevin Vesey live in Bellmore.
The owner says this will finally give them a chance to make money again after losing money for so long.
"They kept us at bay for long. Will 25 percent capacity monetarily work for me? It's a start. It's cash flow. I'm getting people off unemployment, including myself. I've never been on unemployment until this happened," says theater owner Anne Stampfel.
Other safety measures in place include upgraded air filters, tape on the ground to keep people apart and hand sanitizer. Inside the theater, every other row and all aisle seats are blocked off. When someone sits down, they have to keep at least two empty seats between themselves and anyone not in their group.
The first film scheduled at the Bellmore theater is called "On The Rocks," a new release starring Bill Murray.
The first showtime is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday.