Alcohol at movies in Levittown? Many say no
Elizabeth Johnson, of Levittown, signs a petition against the sale of alcohol at the Loews theatre in Levittown. Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilman Gary Hudes said they were appalled to learn of the Levittown AMC Theatre's (commonly known as Loews) intention to apply to the NYS Liquor Authority for approval to sell beer, wine and liquor at our neighborhood movie theater. (Dec. 17, 2011) Credit: Steve Pfost
More than 250 local politicians, school board members and residents rallied outside AMC Loews cinema in Levittown Saturday in opposition to a proposal to sell alcohol at the theater.
Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilman Gary Hudes, both Republicans, led the rally, calling on the New York State Liquor Authority to deny AMC's expected application to sell alcohol.
Nitehawk Cinema in Brooklyn recently became the first movie theater in the state to serve alcohol, said State Liquor Authority spokesman William Crowley. In August, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed a law that allowed alcohol to be served in dine-in movie theaters.
"Serving liquor to adults at a theater where parents drop off children for wholesome entertainment is reckless and a recipe for disaster," Murray said.
In response to the criticism, AMC invited town officials to meet with company representatives. But officials urged the company to meet with the community first and encouraged residents to write the liquor authority to oppose the plan.
"I don't think their [AMC] motives are malicious," said Dean Baer, president of the Levittown Chamber of Commerce. "I think they chose Levittown because it doesn't have that much traffic and it's [the complex is] pretty old."
AMC spokeswoman Sun Dee Larson said the company has not filed an application with the liquor authority because it is required to wait 30 days after notifying the town of its intentions, which it did last week.
She added AMC has "considerable experience" serving alcohol in its more than 25 licensed theaters in the United States.
"We are confident when members of the municipality fully understand the nature of our new concept and signature menu . . . we believe the concerns will subside," said Larson, adding AMC has five other locations on Long Island.
The company is considering a major face-lift to the facility that would include offering drinks, food, luxury seating, digital projection and new sound systems, Larson said.
The move would be similar to its dine-in theater concept, which allows patrons to watch movies while having food and selections from a full cocktail bar brought to their seat, she said.
But residents at the rally said the theater is in a busy parking lot, making it a bad location for alcohol consumption.
"I wouldn't want to find out he got hurt because someone had too much to drink," said Patricia Reed of Levittown, who has a 19-year-old autistic son.
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