Editor’s note: On Tuesday, April 4, The Berkshire Edge published a press release from the “Save the Triplex” group. The group of residents has formed to raise money to buy The Triplex from owner Richard Stanley, and operate it as a nonprofit organization.
In the press release, Stanley is quoted as saying that The Triplex would close on June 1 if it cannot find a buyer.
The Berkshire Edge has reached out to Stanley multiple times but has not heard back from him.
In the meantime, Luke Parker Bowles, the CEO of New Jersey-based company Cinema Lab, contacted The Edge on Wednesday, April 5.
For the past several months, Bowles has been leading a campaign to find commitments from investors to purchase The Triplex.
While that deadline has passed, Bowles told The Edge that the company has not given up on the possible purchase of The Triplex.
He said that he could not comment on any other details, but that “we are working with Richard Stanley to get it done as soon as possible. We are very close.”
Bowles also emailed the following statement to The Edge, printed here in full:
“Cinema Lab has been proud to be leading the revival of THE TRIPLEX, as we understand the theater’s rich history and want to safeguard THE TRIPLEX for many years to come.
We’ve made a commitment to Great Barrington—the community and our investors– and we plan to honor our commitment.
With our experience working closely with theaters in local communities and our collective experience in exhibition, distribution, marketing, programming, and hospitality, we know how to develop, program, and maintain great local theaters–reviving local theaters to make them both successful and a beautiful experience.
In the time we find ourselves in, and from experience, in this day and age, the feasibility of running a cinema as a not-for-profit is highly risky–without a constant stream of ongoing investment.
We hope that the community understands the commitment that is needed so that CINEMA LAB can reopen THE TRIPLEX and maintain its success for many years to come, and give Great Barrington the theater it so richly deserves.”
