SPOKANE, Wash. – Through their bright ideas, vibrant passion, and undying love for film, the Garland Theater’s new owners plan to bring movie magic back to the beloved Spokane staple on reopening day March 1.
“Things that you wouldn’t normally see happening, we’re going to make happen here,” business co-owner Tyler Arnold said.
The Garland Theater has stood in Spokane’s Garland District since 1945. Over decades, the theater has created lasting memories across generations of families in the Lilac City. After being closed temporarily since the end of 2023, the theater will be back open come March 1 – this time, under new ownership.
“So, I think what we’re doing for the first month is we’re going to showcase primetime slot, Spokane movies,” Arnold said.
The first movie showcased will be the local classic, “Benny & Joon” – fitting, as it was filmed in Spokane, specifically in the Garland District at times.
“We want to make this theater known as the people’s theater. This is Spokane’s theater, it’s not ours, it doesn’t belong to us, we want everyone to be able to come back and enjoy their theater,” business co-owner Chris Bovey said, who also owns Vintage Print & Neon.
Tradition continues, but with a new flare and a breath of fresh air. The past, present, and future, bringing you to the movies in an all-new immersive way.
“What we’re trying to offer is an experience inside the lobby. You come to the movie, but you’re getting an experience from the moment you walk in the door,” Arnold said. “We’re going to be playing into the fact that this is an 80-year-old theater. What was happening 80 years ago in society… a vision of what tomorrow looks like, and where are we in that vision.”
Vibrant color and retro design will welcome you inside, while the rows of seating will sit the same. And the feeling of traveling back in time will be even greater.
“Moving forward we’re going to focus on the classics, what people grew up loving, what they haven’t watched on a big screen either recently or ever,” General Manager Jasmine Barnes said. “I think that’s a better focus than the new movies, especially competing with streaming.”
In today’s day and age, things move and change fast. These new owners want to take us back to a time when movies were truly valued as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a story that we tell our friends, our family.
“There will be lots of anniversaries, and hand-picking, yes we’re going to do new movies, but we want to do the movies that are worth a second view,” Arnold said.
The screen has been extended to its maximum size, and even the 35-millimeter projector is up and running to showcase film the way it was intended.
And ticket prices are going down, if you can even believe it.
“I think we’re under a lot of pressure in society right now, with inflation, everything has gone up across the board – what hasn’t gone up is peoples’ wages,” Arnold said.
Making going to the movies affordable for everyone, from buying the ticket to the concessions. Many days, shows will be free! Including the showing of “The Iron Giant” opening weekend.
“Yes, you got in free, but the show is great,” Arnold said.
The Garland Theater is putting on a show for all. Stories being told in a way that will be remembered for decades.
“Movies make a huge impact in all our lives. For me, it’s escapism, it’s childhood, it’s nostalgia, it’s all those things,” Bovey said. “And we just really want to celebrate that here and be able to offer that.” The Garland Theater’s website is still a work in progress and won’t be ready for a few weeks, so tickets are not available to purchase just yet, but stay tuned! The business will announce when the site is working soon.
