06/29/2020
Raleighwood goes dark! December 11th 2019
The Old Testament, Chapter 5: The Book of Daniel tells the story of the King of Babylon’s feast.
Belshazzar, the King of Babylon, held a dinner feast. During the celebration, a hand mysteriously appeared and wrote on one of the palace’s walls. None of the King’s advisors could explain the writing to him. The Queen suggested he asks Daniel, a Wiseman. Daniel told the King the message portended the end of the empire. Hence the expression reading the writing on the wall.
Raleighwoods reading the writing on the wall was walking through Walmart and seeing a 65” 4K Flat Screen HDTV for $380. with access to stream 500,000 movies and TV shows!
Attendance has steadily decreased over the past two+ years as large flat screen HD TVs and streaming services have changed the way people enjoy movies. A trend to releasing new movies directly onto streaming services, bypassing theaters has begun. 108 year old Paramount Pictures Studios recently agreed to make movies for direct Netflix release. Overall, Netflix dominated the recent Golden Globe Award nominations with 17 movie nominations, more than the closest rival. Sony Pictures, which had ten.
As a small family owned and operated independent theater, we can see ‘the writing on the wall.’
In the face of this decreased attendance, realizing time, tide and technology changes the world we live in, the business decision to close was made. The classic case- even the biggest, best run Blockbuster was overtaken by changing technology.
After 26 years of operation, having hosted over 10,000 children’s birthday parties, innumerable Monday Night Football and Super Bowl Games, Academy Award Galas, 400+ corporate meetings and seminars, hundreds of TV series ( 24, Lost, Survivor, Seinfeld, The Walking Dead etc.), hundreds of movies, two weddings and even one funeral service, it is with a heavy heart we close.
We would like to thank our friends, customers, neighbors and employees (two & three generations in some cases) for their support over these 26 years. Approaching 74 years of age, my wife and I have decided it’s time to find greener pastures and enjoy our 5 children and 9 grandchildren.
Thanks again for your support and patronage over the last 26 years!!!
Rembrandt painting 1635, Belshazzar’s Feast (The writing on the Wall)
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