Keep the Elm Alive
Donation protected
The first time my wife and I stepped into the Elm, over 15 years ago, it was if we were stepping back in time. It was a Friday night, and there were probably 5 - 10 other souls lurking in the darkness. I do remember that the pizza was delicious, the popcorn fantastic and the wine was cheap! If I remember correctly, we actually got through the entire movie that night without a film burn. Film burns were the best; the projector would begin to go clickety-click... and then you knew it was coming, the frames would skip and then, the burn!
I think the best part of the Elm experience was the enthusiasm that the owner, Jim Perry, and his staff had in making the whole thing work. Jim's positive attitude always added to the night, and I know he struggled to make it work. The theater had been in his family and Jim's commitment to bring it back to life was obvious. There were nights that we all brought blankets to stay warm, and nights where we waited for the delivery of the reel to get things started. But never was there a night that we didn't feel welcome!!
Fast forward 15 years and over 700 Friday nights at the Elm, we miss it! Jim had persevered. We had heat in the winter, A/C in the summer, digital projection and a sound system that can shake the theater. And new seats on the way! The pizza is still delicious, the popcorn to die for, and the wine is still cheap! Most important, the last time I spoke with Jim and the staff, they were as enthusiastic as ever!
And it's a lot of fun at the ELM!!
Who could have imagined a pandemic that would force the closure of such a precious landmark? And God I know that the Elm is not the only potential business fatality in this unfortunate time. But, if it dies, it will not be one that we replace...
In an article published in the Worcester Telegram recently, Jim had the following to say:
Perry said the Elm Draught House Cinema is struggling, but surviving.
“Am I going to be scared of what’s ahead? Yeah,” Perry added. “Am I going to have to go weeks without paychecks? Yeah. Am I going to have to work harder for less? Yeah.“
I have $20,000 in payables that I can’t pay right now,” Perry said. “I’m not going to borrow money just to keep people on the payroll. That doesn’t make sense. There’s no money coming in.”
My hope in this campaign is to raise enough money to help offset the ongoing expense of keeping the Elm alive...
As an entrepreneur, I appreciate all that Jim has done over the years to make this a "go to" destination in Millbury. With that, his generosity and give back to the town during the Festival of Lights, the weekend matinees for the kids, and countless other events Jim sponsors really make the Elm Draughthouse a place we want to see survive through this pandemic!
So I ask, only if you can, to help Jim through these tough times and Keep the Elm Alive!!
The funds from this campaign will go directly to the Elm to offset operating costs while closed due to the Coronavirus Lockdown and to help finance the start-up of the Elm when the Lockdown is lifted. The Elm has been set up as the sole beneficiary of funds collected during the campaign.
I think the best part of the Elm experience was the enthusiasm that the owner, Jim Perry, and his staff had in making the whole thing work. Jim's positive attitude always added to the night, and I know he struggled to make it work. The theater had been in his family and Jim's commitment to bring it back to life was obvious. There were nights that we all brought blankets to stay warm, and nights where we waited for the delivery of the reel to get things started. But never was there a night that we didn't feel welcome!!
Fast forward 15 years and over 700 Friday nights at the Elm, we miss it! Jim had persevered. We had heat in the winter, A/C in the summer, digital projection and a sound system that can shake the theater. And new seats on the way! The pizza is still delicious, the popcorn to die for, and the wine is still cheap! Most important, the last time I spoke with Jim and the staff, they were as enthusiastic as ever!
And it's a lot of fun at the ELM!!
Who could have imagined a pandemic that would force the closure of such a precious landmark? And God I know that the Elm is not the only potential business fatality in this unfortunate time. But, if it dies, it will not be one that we replace...
In an article published in the Worcester Telegram recently, Jim had the following to say:
Perry said the Elm Draught House Cinema is struggling, but surviving.
“Am I going to be scared of what’s ahead? Yeah,” Perry added. “Am I going to have to go weeks without paychecks? Yeah. Am I going to have to work harder for less? Yeah.“
I have $20,000 in payables that I can’t pay right now,” Perry said. “I’m not going to borrow money just to keep people on the payroll. That doesn’t make sense. There’s no money coming in.”
My hope in this campaign is to raise enough money to help offset the ongoing expense of keeping the Elm alive...
As an entrepreneur, I appreciate all that Jim has done over the years to make this a "go to" destination in Millbury. With that, his generosity and give back to the town during the Festival of Lights, the weekend matinees for the kids, and countless other events Jim sponsors really make the Elm Draughthouse a place we want to see survive through this pandemic!
So I ask, only if you can, to help Jim through these tough times and Keep the Elm Alive!!
The funds from this campaign will go directly to the Elm to offset operating costs while closed due to the Coronavirus Lockdown and to help finance the start-up of the Elm when the Lockdown is lifted. The Elm has been set up as the sole beneficiary of funds collected during the campaign.
Organizer and beneficiary
Art Martin
Organizer
Sutton, MA
James R. Perry Jr.
Beneficiary
