After weathering a variety of entertainment trends since opening more than 70 years ago as a vaudeville house, the venerable Castle Cinema on Providence's Chalkstone Avenue has added a full-service café. Along with taking in flicks ranging from Grateful Dawg to Riding in Cars with Boys, moviegoers will soon be able to chew on burgers and other fare beyond the usual popcorn and candy.

The Castle, known for its distinctive marquee, was purchased in November by four brothers, Anthony, Edward, Larry and Leonard Gemma, and their brother-in-law, Robert, who grew up near the neighborhood landmark and bought it for $250,000 after former owner Ralph Quito put it up for sale.

Even with their appreciation for the cinema, the new owners naturally faced concerns about the challenge of competing with the large chains that dominate the cinematic exhibition industry. "It is tough to maintain a $4 ticket price in this type of business climate," says general manager Shawn Ademac.

Low prices have been preserved at the Castle, with the theater charging $4 for matinees, $4.75 for evening shows, and $6 for midnight screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Saturdays. Looking for another drawing card, the new proprietors decided to model the revamped Castle on a cinema pub chain in Maine and New Hampshire. The cinema now includes a café that will offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a menu featuring chicken sandwiches, burgers, and a cocktail bar.

Ademac says the plan is for "something totally different, where a typical $25 dinner for two becomes something special." Seats extracted from Lincoln Town cars will be directed toward the screen after customers conclude their meals. Consideration is also being given at the Castle to hosting live performances.

Issue Date: December 7 - 13, 2001