Two of the movie theaters in The Villages are preparing to open their doors after being forced to close in March amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Old Mill Playhouse at Lake Sumter Landing and the Barnstorm Theater at Brownwood are scheduled to reopen Wednesday, June 17. The Villages’ original theater, the Rialto, remains closed for a “complete” renovation project that started in January at the Spanish Springs facility.
The two theaters will reopen with safety precautions in place. Seating will be limited to maintain social distancing and strict sanitation procedures will be in place.
The theaters’ concession stands will be open with employees wearing protective masks. The taco stand inside the Old Mill Playhouse won’t reopen until June 23 and moviegoers can expect to see changes in the eatery’s menu.
Gov. Ron DeSantis gave movie theaters across the state the greenlight to open their doors at 50 percent capacity on June 3 when he announced that Florida was moving into Phase Two of his reopening plan. He also said bars, bowling alleys, arcades and auditoriums could reopen at 50 percent capacity as long as social distancing, sanitation procedures and other safety precautions were in place.
