Park Forest’s Holiday Star Theater Featured As Example Of Home Town Theater Revival on Fox Business News Live.

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(Free-Press-Release.com) May 17, 2010 -- CHICAGO, Illinois - May 17 2010 - The Holiday Star Theater, and it’s owner Kenny Yochelson, were recently featured on FOX Business News Live with Tracy Byrnes and Chris Cotter. The Holiday Star Theater is an independent movie theater in Park Forest Illinois that was recently purchased by Mr. Yochelson and has again become a focal point in the community. Through the use of innovative programs, The Holiday Star Theater is re-thinking what an independent, second-run movie theater can accomplish in today’s market.

Year to date box office revenues are up 8.5% from 2009, and attendance is up 6.4%. Many independent movie theaters are experiencing a revival due to the current economic recession and their ability to quickly adapt to changing customer needs. Independent movie theaters are also going back to their community center roots, as many of them serve multiple purposes, often far greater reaching than just showing movies. The Holiday Star Theater is no exception.

“The Holiday Star, or ‘The Holiday’ as it was originally known, was always the center of the community” said Kenny Yochelson. “It was one of the first buildings built in Park Forest, and in the early 1950‘s, it served as a synagogue, as a church, people were even baptized there! In the evenings, they'd all get together and watch a movie.” Although the theater has changed names a few times, first the Holiday, then the Park Forest Theater and the Eagle Theater, and now the Holiday Star Theater, “It’s a natural thing to bring it back to its original position as a place in the community.”

Being an independent movie theater, The Holiday Star can do things that larger movie theater chains simply cannot. “We can do lock-ins, video gaming on the big screen. We can do more exciting things on a day-to-day basis.” One of Kenny’s favorite things is ‘Bring your own bowl Tuesday’. “People bring their own bowls and we fill it up with popcorn for free!” The Holiday Star also hosts canned food drives every Saturday night, senior events on Tuesdays with tea and cake, and a myriad of other activities that bring joy to the Park Forest community.

“You would be amazed at the number of people who came up to me and said ‘I was baptized in this theater!’” Kenny added, “The theater opened in the early 1950’s, so sometimes I have three generations of people coming in to see a movie.” Because of the Holiday Star’s independent nature, they are able to respond to community needs quickly.

The Holiday Star Theater continues the tradition of being a safe place for the community of Park Forest to enjoy. “It’s an amazing town and an amazing theater, with a fantastic history that we know we can grow with.”

View video here > http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/4196624/the-value-of-a-hometown-theater/

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