Another Sad Day In My Beloved Hoboken
Adam Wade  'CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS':
That's what the marquee above the Hudson Street Cinemas read
for about 6 months. Yes, Hoboken's lone movie theater. And when the whole marquee
was ripped off of the building a few months back, things went from bad to worse. I knew in
my heart it was gone. And now it is official. The Hudson Street Cinemas are
gone for good. In what looks like another Mom and Pop casualty to rent increases (in which
Big Business can easily afford).
COME ON, PEOPLE!
With all the young people in Hoboken, how can we not have a
movie theater? It just doesn't make any sense. Seriously, movies are a form of
escape, but we don't necessarily want to have to travel to NYC, JC or Edgewater to
see a movie. I guess we no longer have a choice.
In the 3 years I've lived here I went to that movie theater
probably a hundred times. I would usually go weekly, on Sunday night after a long
day of work. It was something I always looked forward to.
 Never
a car owner myself, I knew I could walk a few blocks and be there in less than 5
minutes. It wasn't a long, physically draining adventure... just to go see a movie.
I guess I took it for granted. There was always a decent crowd and everybody
seemed happy.
And what's worse, guess what's replacing it? ANOTHER
BANK IN HOBOKEN!
No, this isn't a punch line; this is the God's honest truth. My heart sinks.
Should we rename Hoboken 'BANKTOWN?' A great motto would be,
"Seriously, we have a lot of banks."
(Remember: Banks don't show movies!)
MEMORIES:
I had my first date in Hoboken at the Hudson Street movie
theater. I saw 'Big Fish' with a girl I met at my local bar. We had a great time.
Now, it will be odd reminiscing (which I often do) when I am strolling down
Hudson, headed to the Path Train and hitting the ATM at the new bank. Oh yeah, this
is where the movie theater was. I held Denise's hand there. And now I'm getting
charged $2.50 to take 20 bucks out of my checking account.
ADAM WADE'S PIPE DREAM:
The Shannon will reopen as a fun bar with a movie theater in
its back room (I don't know if you've even been in that room, but it is huge!). Beer
and movies! Wow, that would be great. And I am sure it would prosper (if I only had
the money to invest).
REALITY, SOMETHING WE WILL NEVER SEE:
I guess with the movie theater now gone and soon forgotten, I
can't also bury the hopes of Hoboken ever getting a nice cozy family bowling alley.
On the other hand, at least Big Business can't take away what we don't have. |
