Lights, camera, action! The Wilmington neighborhood of Midtown Brandywine has a new addition to its list of attractions, The Screening Room at 1313, a brand new art house cinema. It will open its doors with the most anticipated Oscar-nominated documentaries, animated and live-action shorts. Co-owners Beverly Zimmermann and Bob Weir, two movie enthusiasts, were ecstatic when they stumbled upon the perfect location at 1313 N. Market St, the former Hercules building, now known for its Chancery Market Food Hall and Bar.
Zimmermann and Weir were in talks with Scott Johnson, who oversees the redevelopment of 1313 North as head of TSG Hospitality, about their idea of a theater when Johnson showed them something special. He took them into the building’s former atrium, which included a waterfall running through the room, leaving an already terraced space that was perfect for theater seating. Despite the supply chain issues that slowed down construction, the Screening Room at 1313 opened in a neighboring conference room in the lower atrium.
The cinema has a unique layout with comfy armchairs and sofas instead of traditional theater seats. Admission is priced at $12.50 for adults, $9.50 for seniors/students and $8.50 for the first show of the day. While the theater will sell popcorn and drinks, patrons are welcome to buy food in the Chancery Market and bring it into the movies. The Screening Room is in the process of obtaining an alcohol license, so no alcohol is allowed in the theater, and it has to be consumed in the market.
Both Zimmermann and Weir are passionate about movies, and each will have a specific role in running the theater. Zimmermann will be focused on booking films, while Weir will be running the movies. They expect to show a lot of independent movies that are unlikely to appear in a mainstream theater, and if they do, they are unlikely to stay long.
Theater lovers in Midtown Brandywine can rest assured that they now have a cinema to call their own. Zimmermann and Weir are excited to meet and work with many local filmmakers, and expect to screen their films as well. They already have a schedule of films lined up through March, including popular films like “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On,” “Aftersun,” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
The Screening Room at 1313 is not just any theater, but a new attraction in Midtown Brandywine, a neighborhood located at the edge of the Wilmington CBD. The cinema is just a 4-minute walk from the center of our charming neighborhood, offering a unique and entertaining experience for all movie lovers. Patrons can also take advantage of the free parking available for three hours after 5:30 p.m. on Fridays and all day on weekends, with a parking garage under the building that has 130 spaces.
For Zimmermann and Weir, the most exciting aspect of running a theater is getting immediate feedback from their audience. “If you want to be successful, listen to your audience,” Weir said. “We’re going to have people in, and then they’re going to let us know what they think. And we’re going to listen to them and make those changes as we go.”
In summary, The Screening Room at 1313 is a welcome addition to Midtown Brandywine, offering a unique cinema experience that will attract independent film enthusiasts from the neighborhood and beyond. With an extensive lineup of films and an atmosphere that sets it apart from traditional theaters, The Screening Room at 1313 is sure to be a hit.
Image credit: McConnell Johnson
