Lights. Camera. Action. Palace Theatre reopens its doors Friday

As they say in show business, “the show must go on” and Friday the show will go on at the Palace Theatre in downtown Friday Harbor.

Following an extensive remodel that completely modernized both the concession stand and the restrooms, The Palace Theatre will officially reopen Friday. Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” and Tom Cruise’s “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” will return to the big screen following a soft opening last weekend.

According to Palace Theatre Manager Aaron King when asked about the extensive remodel “the concessions area wasn’t large enough for all of us to be back there and maneuver around, so now we’ll be able to serve people quickly as it gives us more room behind the counter. Now we’ll be able to get people in the door and in their seats without having to wait in lines like they used to, which will still happen but not as much anymore.”

King, who has worked for The Palace Theatre for 30 years, says “Our main focus was the concessions area, and the bathrooms were the same deal where we hadn’t done anything to either of those two, so they were both in desperate need.”

King is proud of the improvements, including the new cabinetry, granite countertops, brand-new popcorn machine, and new flooring. “The other big one is we took out the men’s and women’s bathrooms and there are now three stalls that are open to all,” adds King. “They’re really nice, and it’s just a nice fresh, new, crisp look. It looks beautiful. Which everyone will see when they come in. And, yeah, we’re just looking forward to getting people back in the door.”