The Tinker Street Cinema is getting a new lease on life, thanks to a trio familiar to many in town. Ben Rollins and Lily Korolkoff, owners of Station Bar & Curio, have rented the theater at 132 Tinker Street from Nancy Adler, which is good news for Woodstock moviegoers who were saddened when the last operator, Upstate Films, announced in May they were closing the location. The husband-and-wife team have partnered with Andy “Animal” Braunstein, a film aficionado and Woodstock native who is also known for his Meltasia music festivals.
Much like Station Bar & Curio, across the street at 101 Tinker, the rebirth of Tinker Street Cinema was made possible by the right opportunity at the right time. “It was done with the same sense of what happened with this building,” Rollins said on a recent afternoon at the Station, which the couple opened in 2016. “We saw the For Rent sign.”
Rollins said others in their network of friends had the same idea that they would be good caretakers for another historic Woodstock building. “Nancy knows that I’ve been going to movies there my entire life,” Braunstein said. “I saw The Fox and the Hound there. That was one of my earliest memories. I was born and raised in this town. I like to add to the idea of preserving historical spots.”
Korolkoff said people are excited to see movies return to the old theater, which has sat vacant since the COVID-19 pandemic shut it down. “We did a little barbecue on Fourth of July. It was kind of like a pop-up thing. Friends and family. We had just random stuff going on the screen,’ Korolkoff said. “It turned everyone into a 12-year-old. Everyone was so happy.”
Rollins said even everyday content that people watch on their phones or at home takes on a different life in a large screen. Formats will range from film to digital, thanks to purchases of the old 35-millimeter projectors from New Paltz Cinemas, Braunstein said. “I saw quite a few movies on those very projectors,” Braunstein said. A 16-millimeter projector is coming from Nashville.
“I like showing people movies,” said Braunstein, who added that he always showed movies when he had friends over as a child and at sleepovers. “I came out of the womb with an issue of Fangoria under my arm.” The digital projector, last used by Upstate Films, was one of those items that “comes with the building,” Rollins said.
The theater, which in recent days, has seen a flurry of construction activity, will feature an updated concession stand that offers items in addition to the standard popcorn and candy. International snacks will be part of the fare. Beer and wine are coming soon. “Probably not upon opening, but we’re working towards it,” Korolkoff said of alcohol sales.
Future upgrades include an improved sound system, which is in the works, but the existing equipment will be used for the time being. “I think it’s fine, but it’s Ben that notices stuff like that,” said Braunstein during a recent conversation about the theater. Rollins and Korolkoff have a background in stage and television production and set design.
“We’re going to have a kids’ night. We’re going to have a super family-friendly night,” Korolkoff said. A regular weekly lineup is planned, though the exact schedule is in the works. “Kids Saturdays and Sundays. A cartoon cavalcade,” Braunstein said. Saturday morning cartoons will be a staple feature just like the television tradition.
Forgotten treasures will be on Tuesdays, which will include overlooked films and prints borrowed from people’s private collections. “I just got Dracula on 16 millimeter. That’s in public domain now,” Braunstein said.
Classics are likely on the schedule from Thursday through Sunday nights. “Wednesdays right now I’m thinking maybe documentaries,” Braunstein said. “And Mondays are Miscellaneous Mondays. We’ll see.”
“Like when we did Elvis on Fourth of July, people love that,” said Korolkoff. “I feel like there really will be something for everybody. Random art-house stuff.”
Midnight movies will give people something to do after the bars close or something for those restless nights. While things haven’t been confirmed yet with distributors, planned features include Pee Wee’s Big Adventure for the opening week and The Harder They Come and Rock ’n’ Roll High School in following weeks.
An homage to history
The trio is aiming for an August 10 opening, mainly because of the history behind it. Jimi Hendrix played a gig in the theater on that date in 1969 to prepare for the Woodstock concert. The building has been a movie theater since 1961.
Plans are in the works to have musicians play live scores to movies and will feature an organ player.
Braunstein reminisced about revival houses or any old theaters when he visits any city. Tinker Street Cinema will show old films but will have more available. “We’re for-profit, so we have wider options of what we can play,” Rollins said.
A good sprucing up with some surprises
The theater is in generally good shape and is mainly getting a paint job and some touch-ups, but people will surprised with some additions. “You’re going to get thrown back a little bit. There’s going to be a lot of Easter eggs and stuff like that…Vintage wallpaper,” Korolkoff.
“In one section, we’re going to make a faux rock wall that looks like the laboratory wall from Ed Wood’s Bride of the Monster,” joked Braunstein.
Or was he joking? We’ll find out when it opens. “It’s going to be wacky but really fun,” Korolkoff said.
“It’s going to be wacky and fun,” said Braunstein.
Follow Tinker Street Cinema on Facebook and Instagram for coming attractions and updates.
The theater website, tscwoodstock.com, will be updated soon.
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