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Overcast Long Beach businesses stage a comeback after Sandy
L.B. movie theater to return; storm-ravaged businesses reopen
Eight months after Hurricane Sandy’s floodwater destroyed its movie screens and theater seats, the projectors at Long Beach Cinemas are expected to roll again.
Owner Seth Pilevsky, co-president of Philips International, the company that bought the property in 2000 and built the theater that now stands, said that the theater was completely gutted after the storm and is ready to be rebuilt. However, Pilevsky said that the repair work will not begin until insurance money is released to cover the costs associated with the storm, which he described as an extremely slow process. He said it was too early to provide a reopening date for the theater.
“Our screens were damaged or destroyed, chairs were destroyed and sheetrock was destroyed, but everything was insured,” Pilevsky said. “We’ve come to an agreement with the insurance company as to how much the claim would be, and we believe that we won’t have any problems rebuilding. Like other taxpayers, we’ve been sparring with the insurance companies that like to take their time with things — they stall you because it saves them money, but I actually think we’re close to the finish line and will soon be getting a check.”
The theater, which has four screens, is on the former site of the Lido Theater, which was built in the early 1920s. It underwent a major renovation in 2011 that included a new 3-D screen and other upgrades.
“Immediately after Sandy hit, we were in there ripping out all the sheet rock and minimizing any mold issues,” Pilevsky said. “We think we’ll be able to rebuild the theater the same way it was before, maybe even a little nicer.”
Pilevsky also dispelled rumors that his firm intended to rent the space for retail use and explained that he is committed to keeping the city’s only movie theater in town.
“We should be good to go as soon as we get the check from the insurance company,” he said. “We opened this movie theater for fun. We love Long Beach, we’re locals and we’re going reopen.”
Businesses emerge after the storm
