A possible closure of Burlington’s beloved movie theater, Merrill’s Roxy Cinema, may be on the horizon, according to Seven Days. Located just off Church Street on College Street for around 21 years, the “Roxy,” as most people refer to it, has stood as a go-to for both University of Vermont and Champlain College students. It’s been the place to catch the latest films. But the newspaper seems to spell doom for the Roxy unless something changes soon.
The article features an interview with Merrill Jarvis III, who’s been in the film industry for decades. His words during the interview show that he’s a businessman first and a moviegoer second. His point of view on the way the Roxy works seems out of touch and money-centric.
One poignant line he says is, “ [moviegoers] were happy to give me their money.” (Lickteig, 25). This makes it clear where Mr. Jarvis’ goals about the Roxy lie. As someone who’s been keeping their finger on the pulse of the entertainment industry’s ever-changing nature, and a local student who’s gone to the Roxy a fair amount of times, I must ask why this is the aspect Mr. Jarvis zooms in on. Also, does the closure of the Roxy, a prominent third place in Burlington, signal problems to come?
My first time in the Roxy was March 5, 2022, when I went to see The Batman (2022) on a date. It felt like a perfect addition to Burlington. By taking advantage of it’s placement, the theater draws a large crowd of local students, myself included. But the largest draw for students is the student discount. While it’s admittedly a small cinema, it has charm to it. The cramped space allows that illustrious popcorn smell to permeate the entire building. The seats are plush and comfy, and the snack bar is well stocked with an assortment of sweets for anyone to binge on.
I’ve been there three more times since. The charm doesn’t leave after one visit; I felt that same allure when I returned in November of 2023 to see The Boy And The Heron.
Upon reading the article, however, I feel as if the owner of this cinema isn’t focusing on the problems plaguing Hollywood and the fallout remaining from last year’s double strike of the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild. Their resolution means that films in the middle of production have pushed their release dates back to 2025 or 2026. Even the Vermont-filmed movie, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, was affected; production had to be halted while the strikes were ongoing.
As any filmmaker or film major at Champlain will tell you, making a film is a long, complicated process. Filming takes months; editing takes months. When re-shoots or changes are necessary, more time is taken to do so. Mr. Jarvis and many other cinema owners don’t seem to face this fact. Even with the ease of streaming services, right now is still a very sore and tender time for film. Films that were towards the end of production last fall are being released now. Meanwhile, others will be waiting until next year or the year after to see the silver screen.
The Roxy is a beloved third place for Burlington residents and students. It’s been pointed out how the lack of upkeep for places like shopping malls, parks, and more is causing younger generations to either spend time on electronics or use other forms of entertainment to curb their boredom. This death of the third place has been said to be a reason why so many view younger generations as always on their phones.
The Roxy is a vital part of the Burlington ecosystem. It provides an off-campus respite in the form of a simple and engaging film. It can be used for first dates, anniversaries, friendly hangouts, birthdays– anything, so long as the film’s enjoyable. It’s a part of the quaint, albeit large, culture of the local area.
Mr. Jarvis, in the Seven Days article, is stretching the facts and ignoring the still-healing nature of the film industry. The Roxy is for people who seek in-person connections. It offers a place for fans to gather, talk, and blossom a rock-solid friendship. It’s a place for a group of people to relax after a stressful day, week, semester, or year. The Roxy is vital to the community of Burlington and should be taken care of. Where Mr. Jarvis sees a business in need of a lift, to many the Roxy is a needed entertainment avenue for the adventurous and curious amongst us; it’d be a shame to see such a beloved landmark go so soon.
