Roger Fons, owner of the 1920s-era Old Town Theater, recently reopened his cinema after it was closed for eight months by Alexandria building inspectors. Fons purchased the theater for $1.1 million in 2003.
Being closed for so long must have been hard. How are you recovering?
Anytime you’re closed down for eight months, it takes a while to get the momentum back. We opened with an independent film. … It was tough on me. It cost me $470,000 personally.
What’s your plan? Will independent films be part of your mix?
I opened with an independent film. I ran two independent films last week. Everybody’s been begging for independent films, and then nobody showed up. … We’ll stick with first-run movies and hope they do well.
You’re showing a simulcast of the Kennedy Center’s "La Boheme" Sept. 23?
It’s the first time ever [for simulcasts at Old Town] and the first time for the Washington National Opera. They’re doing it at almost 50 locations, in high schools and colleges [nationally] and at the AFI [Silver Screen Theatre] in Maryland.
You were talking about making changes when you reopened, including a new chef?
Klaus Keckeisen, who used to work at Bistro Europa, [is the new chef]. We serve [guests] at their seats on a tray that fits right in the cup holder. It’s unique. Klaus is putting those little touches on [food] that make it three times better.
You’ve had a varied career — what led you to Old Town?
I came to Alexandria in 1971. I was in the Army at Fort Belvoir. I was in the Army 4 1/2 years, and served in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot.
