It's showtime!...almost

The Dexter Twin Cinema will open its doors under new ownership on Friday, March 27, according to Bobby Wilson, the cinema's new Director of Operations, who comes to Dexter with over 20 years of experience in the theater business.

Formerly operated as a Kerasotes Theater, the cinema shut down unexpectedly in January with promises from the building's owner, Ron Sells, to be refurbished and to reopen at a later date.

Noreen Hyslop photos Work proceeds on the interior of what will be called Dexter Twin Cinema. The theater will reopen under new management on Friday. [Click to enlarge]

In the meantime, as the building was undergoing a major interior facelift, William Pollack of Paragould, Ark., owner of Pollack Cinema, LLC, with several theater and radio station holdings in Southeast Missouri, Northeast Arkansas and beyond, indicated an interest in the theater and has since purchased the operation.

Pollack's holdings include theaters currently open in Kennett, Caruthersville and Portageville.

"Bill Pollack is a professional in the field, and I was pleased when he approached us about this venture. We really wanted to see the building restored and to provide an attractive, family-oriented theater for the community, and I feel that we've accomplished that with Bill taking over this movie theater," said Sells. "I feel like we've accomplished what we set out to do."

Refurbishing efforts continue inside the building, located on the west end of the Business 60 strip. The theater has undergone a total interior restoration, with new seating, paint, redesigned east and west walls and an updated color scheme.

"We'll also be installing a new quality sound system," Pollack explained, "and the concession area will be expanded with a more extensive menu available for theater patrons."

The theater will be managed by Clinton Costin, the son of the late longtime theater's former manager, Clyde Costin. The senior Costin managed the theater from the time of its opening in the 1970s until health problems forced him into retirement last year.

"First run movies will be shown at the theater," Pollack explained. "That means movies will run in Dexter at the same time they are being released across the country."

Pollack is a Southeast Missouri native, having been raised in Cape Girardeau and is familiar with the needs of the Southeast Missouri audience.

"Our interest in the theater," he explained, "stems from our interest in this part of the country. The theater will be operated in a very old-fashioned manner," he said, and further explained, "It will be spotless, and we will operate with a courteous staff who will appreciate every customer," he promised.

Information regarding the cost of admission has not yet been released by the new owners and theater times, including weekend matinees, are yet to be outlined. Patrons are asked to look for further information regarding the theater's opening in regularly placed ads in The Daily Statesman.