Craving movie theater popcorn during Modesto’s coronavirus lockdown? Where to get it
Shuttered by the coronavirus pandemic, the State Theatre has come up with a new way to bring in some money.
The downtown Modesto nonprofit movie house has been holding a Friday Popcorn Drive the past three weeks. Not only is it bringing in some income, the sales also are driving donations.
And at Brenden Theatres in Modesto, they plan to offer a family-sized bag of movie theater popcorn and an ICEE frozen drink on Saturdays, May 2, 9 and 16, with 10% of the proceeds going to the Modesto Gospel Mission, according to a press release from theater general manager Saul Trujillo. Customers also can buy a $25 gift card for future use.
State’s free movie tickets lift sales
Last week, the State Theatre began giving away a free movie ticket to patrons who bought a large popcorn, according to theater Executive Director Kirstie Boyett. Sales are from 3:30 to 7 p.m. on Fridays.
“We sold 197 large popcorns and 63% of those people made a donation. With everything together we made $3,100 in three and a half hours,” Boyett said in an email. “It is crazy and people just are so happy when they get their popcorn.”
Boyett said in an email that the free movie ticket “doubled our sales from the prior weeks.” Movie tickets can be used when the State is able to reopen its historic venue.
Along with popcorn, the theater is selling candy, ice cream, wine by the bottle, other canned alcohol drinks and water, Boyett said.
A large popcorn is $7.50 and is the only size that comes with the movie ticket; a medium is $6.50 and a small popcorn $5.50. The free movie ticket promotion is scheduled to go on through May, she said.
People pull up in their cars to the theater, 1307 J St., order, and employees then deliver back to them.
Virtual screenings continue at State Theatre
Patrons can take their popcorn home and rent a film from the State’s virtual screenings. Those screening options, available through May, can be found on the theater’s website, www.thestate.org.
The theater also will host a Virtual Educational Seminar on May 21 with Rabbi Shalom Bochner of Modesto’s Congregation Beth Shalom showcasing the film “The Frisco Kid” starring Gene Wilder and Harrison Ford.
Brenden selling on three Saturdays
At Brenden Theatres, 1021 10th St., customers can drive to the front of the venue from noon to 7 p.m. the next three Saturdays for a $15 family-sized bag of popcorn, according to Trujillo’s press release.
The popcorn will be free with the purchase of a $25 Brenden gift card. A 32-ounce frozen ICEE will cost $5.
Customers will remain in their vehicles and a Brenden employee will take their orders, then bring them out, the release said.
This story was originally published April 30, 2020 at 1:55 PM.