About this project

What happens when you take a projector, fill a room with loveseats, add some hot, cheesy, pizza, pour lots of cold beer for thirsty patrons, and do it all with love? You get the Parkway Theater, or in this case, the New Parkway. It’s not back yet, but we’re getting close, and you could help with the finishing touches.

The New Parkway will be an eclectic movie-going experience, in the spirit of the former Parkway Theater, where people not only come to watch movies, but to have an unforgettable night out with friends and community.

For those who have been to the old Parkway, you’re well aware of the charm, and we will try to keep many of the elements that made the Parkway unique. After all, where else could one go see a movie, have a meal with wine or beer, lounge in a loveseat, and do it all for under $20? And while the New Parkway may not be at the same location, it will still be in Oakland and it will still be a two-screen theater. You can expect movies both new and old, a full commercial kitchen serving a variety of delicious treats, and a bar with beer and wine on tap. We’re also committed to keeping the ticket prices at about half of what many major cinemas are charging and having all of the other extras be easily affordable as well. Like the old Parkway, we’ll have 2 for 1 nights, Baby Brigade, viewing parties for such events as the Academy Awards and the Super Bowl, and benefit nights for local nonprofits.

You can read all about our plans for the theater at www.TheNewParkway.com.

We’re currently in the process of finding a home for the New Parkway (SEE UPDATE BELOW)—the owners of the current Parkway Theater are being unreasonable in their demands of potential tenants so we’ve found some possible locations in Temescal, Uptown, and Downtown—and lining up investors to fund the start-up and business expenses. We expect to re-open the theater in the spring or summer of 2011.

Your support would fund the actual theater spaces: a portion of their renovation, the projectors, the sound systems, and the furniture, including the famous loveseats. Without you, it wouldn’t be the Parkway. We want you to make the movie experience at the New Parkway possible, and then come out to help once again make this an amazing community space.

UPDATE: if you've not read the project updates, you may not know that we are very close to signing a lease at the original Parkway location. The landlords have decided to invest some money in their building so that it will meet code for theater-goers. We absolutely expect for it to be at the Park Blvd location, so that's what your incentivized donation would be going towards.