It seemed to signal the beginning of the end when Visions film programmer Andrew Menscher quit the organization Aug. 18, citing the theater's financial problems. "Because of the position the theater was in, it became extremely hard for me to perform my job, to get as good a program as was potentially available for Visions," Menscher said yesterday.
Frank, who owns the theater with partners Andrew Mack and Jonathan Zuck, alerted his staff about the closure two weeks ago but did not announce it to the public until yesterday.
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Metro Business: Coverage of Washington area businesses and the local economy.
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The Visions closing "may help us a little bit," said Paul Sanchez, who operates the Avalon and P&G Montgomery Mall cinemas. "I'm sorry to see it happen. We weren't really playing the same films. If Landmark closes, that would help us a lot."
Bob Zich, outgoing chairman of the board of Avalon Theatre, also expressed regret for Visions' demise. "I think [Frank] was offering something unique to the city that I don't think anyone else could."
As for Avalon's business, he said, "I hope we'll be able to pick up some of the slack."
The future of the Visions theater, a $2 million project in the 6,000-square-foot space owned by the Cafritz Co., and said by some to rent for $14,000 a month, remains in question.
"It wouldn't surprise me if another independent came along and reopened the theater," Sanchez said. "I've seen it happen, with the Avalon and the P&G Montgomery Mall," both of which were bought from Loews Cineplex. "Anything's possible."
In the meantime, Visions has announced a farewell party for the public on Sunday, starting at 8 p.m. The free event, which includes a cash bar, "is a way to bring closure" for everybody, said Frank. "It'll be a celebration of four very fun years. To thank my old staff, new staff and to thank the community for allowing Visions to exist in the first place."
