QUINNESEC, Mich. (WLUC) – The popcorn is bursting and the movies are back on the big screen, and it’s been a tough year and a half according to Thomas Andes, president of the Thomas Drama Group.

“The biggest challenge we have faced is the lack of products from the film company. So if your state is closed and your governor has closed everything and you don’t get any movies in a movie theater, you don’t have to do anything, ”Andes said.

He said the pandemic had put his business at a loss for nearly 15 months.

“We were totally closed to zero twice during the pandemic and it was a big struggle for us and all the other cinemas in the country.”

The theater is only making about 50% of its normal summer numbers despite the return to normal business.

“We are operational again as we usually do. Everything is clean, the movies are coming back, the customers are coming back. We have a lot of good comments and luckily we have a lot of good movies coming out because of saving the supply chain during the pandemic, ”Andes said.

In addition, two new businesses within the Thomas Theater Group are expected to be launched to help bring in more entertainment and sales, including alcohol.

“This has been delayed, but we got two liquor licenses at two of our three locations, but in the future we will also be looking at some bars and restaurants and other avenues of entertainment.”

Liquor sales are already at the Marquette location, but are expected at the Escanaba and Quinnesec location later this year.

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