Blog Post 1 - Quaker Cinema

                As a citizen of New Philadelphia, I’ve walked and drove around town. I don’t necessarily see what is going on in my community. I just know where the places are and how to get there. New Philadelphia is a peculiar town because it has been the home to multiple new creations including the Quaker Cinema. The Quaker Cinema was never anything special in my eyes. It was just a plain looking cinema that wasn’t special, yet it had its history etched in the walls.

 

Quaker Cinema 1940

            Quaker Cinema first opened its doors November 1, 1940. During this time, the Quaker had bright “retro” lights that would light up the night and donned colors of red, green and yellow. It let us know that it was there, featuring a movie. Coming inside, you would pass through the double doors with half circles on each panel. Inside, you had the one-room movie theater with 800 seats! This would later turn into a two-room movie theater in the 1980’s. 

 

In 1997 the Quaker has an almost white look on the outside with two big signs that say “Quaker” on the overhead. In the middle of the overhead, it would have a list of the movies they would play. It wouldn’t be until 2014 when the new owners would bring back the retro look once again, but with the modernized technology in the movie screens. After the new renovation you can purchase your tickets outside right beside the door. Inside, you walk in and the aroma of popcorn hits you. You have a concession stand that is filled with candy, a pop machine on the left and a popcorn machine on the right. You then can either go to the right or the left to view the movie of your choice. Inside the rooms, there is a giant screen that is at the front of the room and seats that fold down.

            The Quaker Cinema has been a long-standing business in New Philadelphia. It has allowed families to see the next big movie at an affordable cost and stay close to home. The Quaker shows the history by hanging posters along the walls with some of the more famous movies that they showed. After more than 70 years of business and two renovations, the Quaker is still standing strong.