The owner of the Rio Theatre expected some opposition to her application for a liquor licence at the East Vancouver movie house, but a letter circulating in the neighbourhood claiming a murder took place at the theatre goes a step too far.
Corrine Lea dismisses the letter as full of hearsay and misinformation, but shes concerned it could fuel fears about her application for a liquor primary licence the success of which is vital to the Rio staying in business.
People take that leap of [equating] having a drink somewhere to bedlam, Lea said in an interview at the Commercial and Broadway theatre which is popular for its off-beat programming including midnight screenings of cult classics.
A staff member brought the letter to Leas attention early last month after it was distributed to neighbouring residences.
Letter writers Bonita Hoppen and Dino Kravariotis, who live about two blocks away on East 11th Avenue, say they fear increased noise and crime if the Rio is granted a Class 5 liquor licence for live events. The letter states concern that theatre has inadequate security and says there has already been a murder at the Rio Theatre location.
That was news to Lea, who took over the 73-year-old theatre three years ago. As far as Lea knows, the only incident that fits the bill is an attempted murder in 1987 when it was a primarily Asian theatre known as the Golden Princess. (See Murder at The Rio?)
The present-day reality is that the Rio needs a liquor licence if its to stay in business in an industry geared toward multi-screen cineplexes, she says. I would say we cant survive without it.
Lea says the concerns over noise and crime are overblown and stressed she is not seeking to turn the 445-seat theatre into a bar. As a sit-down venue, concerts and live events at the Rio tend to be low-key affairs geared to film geeks and music fans.
While its illegal to serve alcohol in movie theatres in B.C., Lea has been shifting the Rios focus to become a multimedia venue similar to the Vogue with a greater emphasis on live events, such as cabarets and concerts. Until now, the Rio has been able to serve alcohol during live events under temporary special events licences but there are monthly limits to those. As a legitimate business, you get into trouble if you try to live off of those, she says, adding shes spent nearly $10,000 on consultants and fees to navigate the application process at City Hall. If successful, the licence would allow alcohol service only during live shows where no minors are present.
Courtney McFadyen was inspired to contact City Hall in support of the Rios application after receiving the letter of complaint in her mailbox. McFadyen says she enjoys attending both movies and concerts there and its presence is one of the reasons she and her partner recently purchased a condo in the area. When I read the letter I laughed, she says. I was like are these my neighbours?
Though Commercial Drive near Broadway is busy intersection with an edgy vibe, McFadyen said thats part of the bargain when people choose to settle there.
Mario, another neigbhour, says he understands the concern over noise but not enough to contact City Hall with a complaint. I know its going to add density but thats the way it goes.
Hoppen and Kravariotis were not home when WE visited their house last week, nor did they respond to a written request for comment by press time.
Lea plans to host an open house at the Rio September 17 from 1-3pm so neighbours can discuss concerns over the application in person.
