Chillicothe Man Working To Bring Movie Theatre Back To Chillicothe

Watch our interview (above) with Joey Manna concerning his goal to bring back a movie theatre in Chillicothe

Local entrepreneur Joey Manna, best known for Paper City Theatre, is trying to open a movie theatre in Chillicothe/Ross County after Danberry Theatre announced during the COVID-19 pandemic that they have permanently closed.

To start off, Manna is looking at what are called micro-cinemas for downtown Chillicothe, which seat between 20-25 people and can also be rented out for parties and dinners, as well as small crowd showings for movies.

A larger multiplex theatre location is also being investigated at a few locations in the community, which have included the former Danberry Cinema as well as the former Community Market location in Central Center.

Manna is also investigating a drive-in theatre location to go along with the micro-cinema and multiplex theatre settings.

Current fundraising efforts for purchasing properties and any theatre renovation work that would be needed, have included proceeds from live stage theatre projects, a GoFundMe account, and their Kickstarter Campaign, where individuals and businesses can donate amounts where a larger tier contributors can get naming rights and a number of lifetime passes to the movies as well as free popcorn.

Paper City Cinemas next live stage production, which again will help with some of the movie theatre start-up expenses, is “The Great Gatsby” at 7pm on August 12th. This production will be held at 13 Mead Drive in Chillicothe. A Meet The Cast event will be held July 26th at 6pm, at Steiner’s Speakeasy.

Manna said the Chillicothe/Ross County community is his home and his passion has been movies and the performing arts, and has been looking at ways to bring the movie theatre back to Chillicothe in a post-pandemic world.

Manna says he wants to “Build a community center where artists and the community can come together to showcase local talent as well as film.”

For more information, go to Paper City papercitycinemas.com or email joey@papercitycinemas.com