The State of the State
The State is officially closing its doors, as first reported over on Star City Scene. Drat. The State’s unique approach to showing movies sounded great when it first opened, but the venue never caught on with Lincolnites. Even adding a variety of other events—concerts, comedians, and so on—couldn’t save it.
Who wants to take the next try at that location?
The Comments
Gene says Per one of the posts November 14, 2008 at 10:29am
Per one of the posts on that forum, the utilities would be enough to crush a small business owner. Yikes.
CS says I wonder how much was November 14, 2008 at 12:05pm
I wonder how much was due to lack of patronage from those that think parking should be free, and those that think any new venue that opens in Lincoln has to cater to kids. Im an adult. I HAVE three kids, but sometimes I want to go somewhere where there are NO kids. The Grand doesn’t cut it, and getting my wife in there on a day she doesn’t work is difficult (she’s an asst. manager) anyway. Its really sad that this idea didn’t take off better than it did-it has succeeded in other locales.
Andrew says The owner of yia yias November 14, 2008 at 1:43pm
The owner of yia yias should take it over and still make it a theater, but sell yia yias pizza and beer in there. Most nights I would pay an extra couple bucks to watch a movie and enjoy my slice and beer. I suspect though, that the rent for that place is unreasonable and it’s doomed.
Fletch says I think downtown could use November 14, 2008 at 2:45pm
I think downtown could use another sandwich shop or bar, perhaps.
Eric says Great concept.. November 14, 2008 at 4:04pm
The State was a great concept and I will be sad to see it go. Having said that, there just weren’t that many movies that really interested me. I saw a couple comedy acts there and I enjoyed those, but they didn’t seem to get very many of them. Also, the location might not have been optimal. I think it would have seen more patronage if it was in the Haymarket, but that is neither here nor there.
I’d love to see one of 3 things happen to it:
1) Yia-Yia’s expands
2) A 24 hour diner (we could use one of them and it ought to make a killing down there)
3) A decent sized grocery store
Dale R. says RE: Great concept.. November 16, 2008 at 4:39pm
With Kuhl’s gone, downtown is sorely missing a “smalltown” place for breakfast and I’d like to see the State turned into a diner. Having said that, I agree with all 3 of Eric’s suggestions, especially the expansion of Yia Yia’s.
Eric S says Miss it... November 14, 2008 at 8:18pm
I liked the place. But I could almost see it coming. $8.75 for a 50oz pitcher? It was almost cheaper to buy the three dollar shots. If I’m wanting to watch a game of something on a big screen and have the choice of going to a cheaper bar...I went. That being said, I really liked their food, and it was a neat idea.
Dave K says The great thing about Yia November 17, 2008 at 12:17am
The great thing about Yia Yia’s, in addition to their food, is the character of their current location. Expanding into a theater would ruin that. I don’t want to think about illegal hot tubs and fugitive club owners when I’m enjoying my two slices of The Pacific.
Who knows what could/should go in there. Maybe a police precinct—that seems to be right where you can find most Lincoln cops 3+ nights a week.
Rhett McClure says pr guy November 29, 2008 at 12:24am
Hey guys, I know through some friends that it WILL remain a theater. Let’s just say the INDEPENDENT film scene is about to get VERY interesting. What I don’t know is whether they will have a liquor license or how they will make enough money to pay Speedway that ungodly amount of rent! Ha. More soon!