URGENT: Save Arnprior's Historic O'Brien Theatre!
Donation protected
** Every dollar raised goes directly to keeping the theatre open. The $12,000 goal is the absolute bare minimum to cover operating expenses and help the theatre break even for the next two months. Money raised beyond this will go toward recovering from the staggering financial losses the theatre has suffered during COVID-19 **
Hi, my name is Chris and I love our local theatre, the historic O'Brien Theatre in Arnprior, ON. Simply put, I have set up this GoFundMe because The O'Brien Theatre is at a grave risk of closing its doors forever. Please join me in ensuring that this does not happen.
Let's all spend at least $5 or more to buy some "virtual popcorn" here on GoFundMe and keep the theatre alive.
This historic landmark has been a fixture in downtown Arnprior since 1919 and is independently owned and operated by Mr. Kevin Marshall. That's right, independent: a type of business that is increasingly vanishing from small towns. Kevin is a kind-hearted and a dedicated local businessman who is truly the last person who would ask for help. In fact, he didn't: this fundraiser was my idea and it took some convincing to get permission to gather this community support for the business. Kevin, on the other hand, is genuine and unhesitant in his support for our community, investing at great personal cost to provide a local entertainment venue, yet is truly too humble to expect anything in return.
Kevin's vision for the Theatre is clear for all who have had the pleasure of seeing a movie here: offering fair prices and top feature films with a small-Town touch. Kevin has invested heavily to keep up with the times: back in 2012, a conversion to digital cinema saw Kevin re-mortgage both his home and his businesses to pay a six-figure sum of over $100,000 upgrade the projector equipment for both screens at the theatre.
Shortly before Christmas, the theatre posted a message on the Facebook group "What's Up, Arnprior?" outlining the operational and financial challenges that exist due to guidelines which restrict concession sales to take-out only. As the theatre depends almost solely on these concession sales, this may be the last curtain call for The O'Brien Theatre.
Please be aware in donating that this fundraiser is a shot-in-the-dark to keep the doors open. The business has faced incredible financial distress and this is a final attempt to help Kevin to keep The O'Brien Theatre. Our support will mean the difference between emerging from the pandemic with this valuable fixture, or lamenting about the boarded-up storefront on John St.
Organizer and beneficiary
Chris Couper
Organizer
Arnprior, ON
Kevin Marshall
Beneficiary
