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Nancy Sabino and Mike Sodano (above), the owners of Asbury Park’s ShowRoom cinema, are in contract to buy the 1920’s era Beach Cinema in Bradley Beach. The transfer of ownership is scheduled for October 30.

John Esposito, 74, bought the Beach Cinema 41 years ago when he was 33. Esposito started in the business as an usher in one of the local Walter Reade theaters, and worked in that organization as a manager before taking over the Bradley Beach venue.

“If I ever sell this building, I said it must be sold as a movie theater,” said Esposito, a Bradley Beach resident.

Sabino and Sodano started the ShowRoom, known for its independent and art house films, in a rented space on Cookman Avenue in 2009 and built their current three screen cinema across the street, which opened in 2012.

After ownership of the Bradley Beach theater transfers as expected at the end of October, the venue will close for a couple months to undergo initial minor upgrades. It will re-open as the The ShowRoom Cinema Bradley Beach sometime in January of 2019. A more ambitious renovation is planned for 2020.

The ShowRoom in Asbury Park has three screening rooms with seating for 66, 25 and 15 people. The Bradley Beach theater currently seats approximately 540, Sodano said. When longer range renovations are completed, the ShowRoom Bradley Beach cinema will have three theaters seating 250, 150 and 100 people, he said.

“We’re pleased John thought of us when he was ready to sell,” said Sodano. “Thanks to our staff and all those who support us, we are able to realize this expansion. This opportunity will provide us with additional seats at a point when our audience is growing and Bradley Beach is flourishing.”

The new larger Bradley Beach venue will allow the ShowRoom to attract major studio releases. “We have some trouble getting them now because of our seat limit,” Sodano said.

“To us we will now be like a four screen theater with the two locations, and eventually a six screen theater,” he said. “Bradley Beach will be a touch of indy with the mainstream. It’s a really good synergy. We’re looking to capitalize on the loyal audiences in both places.”

“Renovation will evolve over time, we expect to update the cinema and retain the charm of a downtown independent theater, “ said Sabino. “We understand the Beach Cinema has a year-round loyal audience and we want to keep them returning to enjoy quality, first-run cinema. During the construction phase, we invite them to join us in Asbury Park until their neighborhood theater is back on line.”

Short-range goals for The ShowRoom Cinema Bradley Beach include new seating and a contemporary lobby environment. Longer range, the single-screen theater will be converted into three comfortable auditoriums, with the larger of the three taking advantage of the existing stage for performances, lectures and events.

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