It has been a part of the Overland Park community at various locations for almost 40 years.

“We’re excited to reopen, and we’ve really missed out customers,” said Brain Mossman, co-owner of the theater. “We want to assure everyone that the popcorn will start popping again soon, and the show will go on in a safe environment, keeping the health of our guests as our primary concern.”

For now, the theater will only be open Friday through Sunday every week.

There will be limited seating in each auditorium in order to allow for social distancing.

Private theater rentals will be available as well, according to a news release.

In addition to physically distanced seating, several COVID safety precautions will be in effect, Mossman said, including:

• ultraviolet lights in the theater’s HVAC system,
• sanitizing stations in high-traffic areas,
• ad auditoriums sterilized between shows,

In addition, guests will be required to wear face masks at all times unless actively eating or drinking.

The Fine Arts Group, which owns and operates the local theater, temporarily closed the building back in March of 2020 as local spread of COVID-19 began.

The theater reopened briefly last fall with limited capacity. Due to low attendance and ongoing changes to Hollywood film release schedules, the Glenwood closed again in December.

Fine Arts Group General Manager Stephanie Maitri said the theater’s loyal fan base has stayed interested during the elongated shutdown.

“I’m getting daily emails, daily phone calls, and I have been for a year. I’ve got regulars who have asked me to personally call them back whenever we do open, so I believe we’re gonna have a good turnout,” Maitri said.

Glenwood Arts will open on Friday, Sept. 17, with scheduled showing of the new films, “Cry Macho,” “Blue Bayou,” “Eyes of Tammy Faye” and “Capote Tapes.”

Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, Sept. 15 and range in price from $8 for matinees to $11 for evening showings.

The second cinema location owned by the Fine Arts Group, The Rio, near downtown Overland Park, is a single-screen theater which will reopen at a later date, company officials say.