The Mt. Kisco Cinema will reopen after one of the owners announced Thursday night that there was a new tenant to take over the space.

Christina Martabano, who posted about the site’s development at 144 E. Main St., said Friday the operator had signed a lease and would be revealed as early as next week. Film screenings will be the main focus, but the facility can host other types of events as well, she said.

“He’s not one of the main players, he’s not that type of business, but he’s someone who wants to get involved in the distribution and I think there are others. artistic type functions there, ”Martabano said.

Currently, there is no schedule for the reopening of the Mt. Kisco Cinema, she said.

The theater has been closed since COVID-19 forced the closure of virtually all venues in March 2020. Six months later, it was learned that Bow Tie Cinemas, which was the former operator, would not reopen the site when theaters would be allowed to reopen last fall.

Mayor Gina Picinich said the community was excited about the return of the theater as over the years it has become a gathering place for generations of village residents.

“It’s a rite of passage for children when they reach a certain age,” Picinich said. “They can walk to a movie theater, maybe have a pizza, be with their friends. It’s so part of the culture of our community, so it’s very important to reopen it. “

As of Friday morning, no requests had yet been received by the village’s construction department for any work or renovations that would be needed, she said. Picinich mentioned that the village would prefer the new operator to maintain the retro-style marquee on Main Street East.

The most difficult challenge is telling local residents that there will be a period of time before people can start going to the movies again, the mayor said.

“I think that will be the hardest part of it all, defining people’s expectations. that it reopens, it’s just that we’re not there yet, ”Picinich said.