Historic Arlington, Somerville Theaters Purchased by Longtime Managers
Two historic movie theaters in Arlington and Somerville will be owned and operated by a managing group made up of their longtime managers.
The Somerville Licensing Commission approved transferring the Somerville Theatre’s license to CSB Theaters Inc. during its Tuesday, Jan. 21, meeting. Anne Vigorito, attorney for the new owners, told the commission it would be business as usual with no changes planned for the venue when the managers assume their roles as owners.
CSB Theatres President Ian Judge told Boston.com that the new company had been formed to absorb the leases of Somerville Theatre, Capitol Theatre in Arlington, and the Crystal Ballroom, a live event rental and entertainment space above the Somerville Theatre. Richard Fraiman, the theater’s previous owner, will still own the building, and CSB Theatres will be tenants.
“While the ownership on paper is changing, it’s really not new management. It’s the same people who have managed the businesses for years,” Judge explained in an email. He said that the operations for both theaters would be completely assumed by CSB within the next two months.
The CSB Theatres management team includes Jamie Mattchen, who has worked and directed operations for the theaters for more than 19 years. Food and beverage manager Jay O’Leary began as a theater usher almost 24 years ago. Ian Brownell, a Brattle Film Foundation board member, is also a partner in the operation.
“The reason we are doing this isn’t because we think we’re going to get rich,” Judge told the commission. “It’s because we value the roles that these theaters play in the community that we live in.”
The Somerville Theatre celebrated its 100 anniversary in 2014. The Capitol Theatre will turn 100 this year, according to the theater’s website.