How One Movie Theater Owner Is Selling Curbside Popcorn to Pay His Employees

variety.com:

Mark O’Meara has endured blizzards, hurricanes and economic recessions. Even in three feet of snow, he’s managed to keep the lights on at University Mall and Cinema Arts, the two movie theaters he owns in Fairfax, Va.

But for the first time in 29 years, he had to close his doors as the coronavirus pandemic continues to sweep through the country — and his own backyard. “It’s horrible,” O’Meara said. “All my life, I’ve had all kinds of tragedies, but I’ve never had a problem missing a meal or sleeping.

This has been bugging me. I’ve been waking up in the middle of the night. As a 67-year-old, you’re supposed to get sleep, but I haven’t been able to.” O’Meara wasn’t just distressed about having to shutter his multiplexes.