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Galaxy Theatres Open, Welcome Back Patrons
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A movie patron takes time to make a selection at the snack bar over the weekend, as the Galaxy Theatres Luxury+ in Riverbank were able to reopen, although with limited capacity. For about seven months, movie houses across the state have been closed in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Last Friday, the Galaxy screens lit up once again. Ric McGinnis/The News

Moviegoers in the Riverbank area were delighted to learn last week that Galaxy Theatres Luxury+ screens would be lighting up once again, over this past weekend.

Word began getting around by the middle of last week of the theater re-opening on Friday, Oct. 16.

Buying tickets, as in the past, was best done online, on Galaxy’s website, although walk-up tickets were also available if there was room at a particular screen.

Stanislaus County recently moved to the less restrictive ‘Red’ tier, making the move from ‘Purple’ in terms of COVID cases and spread. This allowed the theater to re-open, adhering to social distancing, masks and sanitation regulations.

Nearby theaters were not open yet. While Brenden in downtown Modesto hasn't rescheduled an opening, the Regal Theater there is part of a national chain that has decided to close down, at least temporarily. The next nearest is the AMC complex in Manteca.

Each Galaxy theater here is limited to 25 percent occupancy, with seating far apart, so some screens filled up right away on Friday, while others remained relatively empty.

Over the weekend, Galaxy screened four $1 movies, and those filled up fast. They included Coco and The Nightmare Before Christmas, both animated films, and a special showing of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, as well as Hocus Pocus.

Newer movies included several Halloween-themed shows, as well as a couple of family movies and also a couple of action flicks.

The IMAX has returned to use, as well.

Showtimes and booking/ticket levels are available on the theater’s website.

While there is no way to easily estimate how much was lost during the forced closure, local manager Donald Golani said that, over the break, the Galaxy chain sold movie popcorn at several of their locations, including Riverbank.

They have five locations in California, six in Nevada, two in Texas, two in Washington State, and one in Arizona. Golani said the Galaxy chain was able to earn half a million dollars selling the popcorn.

Another thing Golani noted was the large movie posters that are displayed all over the lobby and hallways, even on the outside of the Patterson Road building. Sometimes referred to as ‘one sheets,’ he said, although there are many visible throughout the theater, they are actually all posters that were on display when the pandemic hit.

He didn’t have an idea when the studios would be able to start sending out new ones for upcoming movies.