In our effort to develop the optimal solution for the Park Theater, TPTT looked at various operating models of small community cinemas around the Bay area and the country. This research has determined that for Lafayette, success and sustainability is achievable via a partnership between a nonprofit owning the Park to protect it for future generations, and then leasing it to a for-profit operator who will offer movies but also develop a robust calendar of diversified programming that attracts multigenerational interest and participation. It was also learned that in many cases, multiple screens presented the stronger path to sustainability, so the plan is to reconfigure the Park’s interior to incorporate two screens with floor plans flexible enough to showcase the diverse programming envisioned. A commercial kitchen and rooftop terrace are also part of the vision.

We’ve done a lot of homework…
And just what is the definition of “mission-driven” ?
The Park needs to be profitable in order to survive, and for that to happen in Lafayette, our research points to a for-profit operator. However, the goal of TPTT, in addition to profitability for the theater (and therefore additional success for arts and culture in Lafayette and beyond), is to find an operator who listens and responds to the community he/she is serving – with programming, job training, job opportunities, sustainability, and responsibility.