Curtain rises on biggest shopping day of the year

By Gregory Childress

gchildress@heraldsun.com; 918-1046

Chapel Hill -- The couple reopening the Varsity Theater is planning a Nov. 27 grand opening to take advantage of the nation's biggest shopping day.

Susan and Paul Shareshian are also hoping to take advantage of the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, which is synonymous with family bonding and gatherings.

"It's a holiday weekend with lots of family in town, and it's Black Friday," said Susan Shareshian. "It's a good family weekend."

The Shareshians announced last week plans to reopen the 80-year-old theater, which former operators Bruce and Mary Jo Stone closed in June due to financial reasons.

While independent and foreign films ruled the day under the Stones' management, the Shareshians say they will rely on recently released films and classic movies for which they will charge $3.

"We want to bring back the feeling of a classic, old-time movie theater and also provide a clean and fun space -- with excellent service and a customer-focused staff -- where local residents can enjoy a movie at a reasonable price," Paul Shareshian said in a news release announcing the reopening.

First up for the Varsity will be one of the most popular classics of all time, the "Wizard of Oz," which will be shown Nov. 26-28. The first weekend also will feature two recently released films -- "The Invention of Lying" and "The Informant."

The Nov. 27 planned reopening will come after extensive renovations, which will include upgrades to the lobby and concession area and converting an upstairs office into a children's birthday party room.

So far, Susan Shareshian said the public reaction to the news about the reopening of the theater has been positive.

"Everyone has offered their emotional support and everyone is excited about the plan we have for the theater," Susan Shareshian said.

The Shareshians, who moved to Chapel Hill four years ago from New Jersey, are leasing the Varsity from owner James Rumfelt.

Downtown boosters are celebrating the reopening of the Varsity, which they say is good for business on Franklin Street.

When the Stones announced in June that the theater was closing, supporters of downtown worried that the loss of the Varsity would leave a cultural void and harm nearby business that benefitted from the foot traffic the theater generates.