It was February 14, 2007 – Valentine's Day. Penn Cinema had opened on Airport Road just three months before, on November 17, 2006. It was raining and the lines at our Box Office were literally out the door. We had snaked the lines through the vestibule as best we could, but it was pretty much chaos. Six or seven weeks prior had brought similar scenes with Night at the Museum, which played to huge crowds.

The key detail in those memories, the detail that has changed most in the years since, is that they all took place at and/or around our Box Office. Kids who worked the Box thought that they were smarter than the kids working concessions… and don't even get me started on the ushers (I am definitely an usher at heart – best job in the building). 

Alas, our Box Office became a thing of the past some years back. It depends who you ask, but the consensus seems to be that it has been at least ten years since we sold a ticket in the Box, though I'd say longer. 

Our Box Office sat empty for all these years, basically serving as a backdrop to our counter display for Fine Living Lancaster magazine, ads for Universal, and – eventually – some kiosks. At some point before the pandemic, we started talking about how, "It would be a great place for a bar." But COVID-19 came and put all of our ideas on ice – until Top Gun: Maverick paved the way for Barbie/Oppenheimer, which brought us to Wicked, and now to the present day. At some point between the second installment of Top Gun to Barbie, we began to revisit our ideas and zeroed in on a plan to move forward with our new bar. 

Ladies and gentlemen: Our new bar is stunning. The cocktails are world-class. The beer selection is unsurpassed. To be completely transparent, this new feature has exceeded my highest hopes. I am bursting.

But "the bar" did oh, so much more. It triggered additional spending to support an entirely new concession stand and a dramatic new kitchen, featuring our new and expanded menu. Don't worry – we're not going to ruin your theatrical experience with waitstaff and silverware; but, if you wanted better food to go with your movie, you got it.

Forever more, you will likely think of Penn Cinema before the bar versus Penn Cinema after. 2025 marks a massive milestone in the history of our theater; it sets the table for us to make plans for next year, when we will celebrate 20 years in business.

Speaking of celebrations... Congratulations to Mark Pontz and his whole family and crew for a run he should be proud of at Fine Living Lancaster magazine. I’ve been proud to be a supporter for many years, and I can't wait to see what happens next!

So come, have a drink, raise a toast to the FLL crew, and enjoy your world-class moviegoing experience.

Party on!

PK