PRINTRagtag: The extended version
Theater’s revamped space offers more than movies
Rachel Swetnam
Patrons can enjoy lunch at Uprise Bakery, browse rentals at Ninth Street Video and get ready for a feature at the new Ragtag Cinema location on Hitt Street.
June 19, 2008 | 12:00 a.m. CST
Since the opening of its new location at 10 Hitt St. in February during the True/False Film Festival, Ragtag Cinema has evolved significantly, but two things remain constant: its devotion to independent films and its insistence on comfy, worn-in furniture. But as for Ragtag’s changes, the theater recently fused Uprise Bakery and Ninth Street Video into its distinct atmosphere.
The triad has a relationship dating back to Ragtag’s modest beginnings. Before Ragtag had its own space, Janet Marsh, owner of Ninth Street Video, says the video store used to help Ragtag pay distributors so that it could show films.
3 The number of blocks the new Ragtag location is from the old.
9 The number of artists with art on display at the new Ragtag location.
9 The number of full-length features shown this past month.
75 The number of people who could fit in the old theater.
80 The number of people who can fit in the smaller of the two new theaters.
130 The number of people who can fit in the new, larger theater.
207 The number of films shown at Ragtag in 2007.
7,500 The most people to view a movie at Ragtag (Little Miss Sunshine).
Now that Ragtag shares its space with new roommates, Marsh sees the combination as a reflection of downtown Columbia as a whole.
“Downtown is growing,” she says. “Everyone used to hang out up and down Ninth Street, but the action isn’t just there anymore.” She notes that many people are willing to travel those extra few blocks to frequent Columbia businesses because they offer customers what they are looking for.
“All our decisions are based on Columbia, not the corporate office,” Marsh says. “We all seem to share the same market, people who like nice atmosphere, non-chain, non-fast food and locally owned.”
Kristin Ramlow, who works downtown, regularly visits Ragtag’s new location for many reasons, but not for the flicks. “I come here because I enjoy the nice workers, the food and the service,” she says.
According to Marsh, the staff, which is shared by all the businesses, seems to be just as excited about the move. Included is John Westhoff, a projectionist. “While the old place had personality, we’re now in a nice new building with top-of-the-line facilities,” he says. “We’ve been very proud.”
As for customers’ reactions to the new location, Westhoff says, “People are still feeling out the new scheduling, but on a whole they are really enjoying it and getting used to the move.”
Some patrons aren’t feeling the new-home bliss, though. “The old theater was so charming,” customer Shannon Canfield says. “But I guess this makes business sense.”
MU student Brian Heffernan has attended the new theater several times. “The old theater had a small, quaint feel,” he says. “A little of this is lost in the new one, but the smaller of the two theaters still has this feeling.”
Although the theater has done some major upgrading, it still strives to keep that same friendly feeling it offered before. If the combination of fresh bread and fresh films isn’t motivation enough, Ragtag has made other notable changes that further separate it from its old location.
“The upgrade in our equipment is definitely the most exciting for me,” says Sarah Bantz, a director. “We have all new projectors, screens and sound. Surround sound. In the old location we had speakers duct taped to the wall, but nothing actually came out of them.”
Bantz also sees a benefit in the ways patrons can enjoy themselves. “They can do dinner and a movie, or drinks and a movie, or dinner, movie, drinks, or even, drinks, a movie, and then rent a movie,” Bantz says. “It’s all part of the experience.”
Despite the necessary adjustments, the staff thinks the move was worth it.
“We all went through a stage of feeling sentimental,” Bantz says. “But in life, things change. We needed a change, and I think overall our customers agree.”
