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AUSTIN, Texas — With every scoop of popcorn, every drink poured, it’s back to business at Austin’s Paramount Theatre.
Classic movies fill the screen like they have the past 46 summers.
“I came here as a kid to go to the movies. Just walking from the 100-degree sidewalk into the doors into this theater, you can just leave it all behind. It’s a specialness. It is special,” said Denise Cavness, bartender at the Paramount.
Cavness has worked at the theater for more than 30 years. She’s seen it all and everyone.
“I’ve seen everybody from Imogene Coca to Sid Caesar to Tom Jones. It’s just amazing. It continues to get better,” said Cavness.
The Paramount has been an Austin staple for more than 100 years. It stood the test of time through two world wars, a threat of closure decades ago and even the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We thought, ‘maybe this is going to be like the flu,’” said Chip Tait, director of food and beverage.
But the theater shut down in April last year. It opened at limited capacity in September.
“We couldn’t hug anybody. We couldn’t even shake hands because we were concerned about transmitting the virus,” said Tait.
Now employees are celebrating being back together. Masks are not required at the Paramount.
“Now that we’re all vaccinated, it’s wonderful to give a hug, shake a hand, give a fist bump. It’s feeling right back to normal,” said Tait.
Employees say the pandemic may have been a bump in the road, but the Paramount is here to stay.
“It’s amazing. This 105-year-old grand lady on Congress Avenue, we’re all so proud of it, “ said Tait.
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