Virginia’s growth as a craft beer state is now expanding to a few movie theaters. A new law will add beer and wine to the concession stands at non-profit cinemas, including the Grandin Theatre in Roanoke and the Byrd Theatre in Richmond.
The measure waives the requirement that applies to restaurants that half the proceeds come from food, as well as alcoholic beverages.
In his three years with Roanoke’s Grandin Theatre, Executive Director Ian Fortier says this idea was always in the back of his mind, saying it would add ‘texture’ to the filmgoing experience.
The new law took effect this month, but the Grandin won’t be making any concession changes until sometime next year. Fortier says that means bringing in an architectural firm. But he’ll also be mindful of when alcoholic drinks are sold.
"There's some discretion that we want to make sure that happens," Fortier said. "We'll mostly open up (alcohol sales) for our 5 p.m. shows. So in the evening, when you're here seven days a week, you should be able to get beer and wine, but in the daytime, we still want to make sure that's very sensitive to families, children, and seniors who spent a lot of time here."
Fortier says wine and beer can also be sold during special events like art showings and business seminars. He sought the change in what came to be known as the ‘Grandin Bill’, but the law also applies to a handful of other non-profit cinemas – like the Lyric Theatre in Blacksburg, and The Byrd Theatrein Richmond.
That's where General Manager Todd Schall-Vess will no longer need special permits to serve alcohol beverages for screenings of cult favorites.
"Something like 'The Big Lebowski', something like 'The Dark Side of Oz' (The Wizard of Oz, accompanied by Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon), that's the sort of thing where I would think that would come into play," he said. "And the flip side of that would be a Sunday afternoon screening of something like 'Dr. Zhivago' or 'Gone With the Wind', and have something like mimosas."
Sponsored by Delegate Nick Rush (R-Christiansburg), HB-1743 quickly went into effect this month after overwhelming approval by lawmakers, and Gov. Terry McAuliffe's signature.
