Teicher already had the theater business — and its popcorn — in his blood when he and wife Joyce arrived as the new Mayflower owners after purchasing it from founder, Chris Pfister in the early 1970s.
A Detroit native, Teicher worked in theaters in that city, Chicago and Hamilton, Ohio, before ending up in Troy.
Throughout the years, Teicher built up his theater holdings to a high of 22. He now has eight in Ohio, Indiana and Florida.
He is trying to sell all but the two in Florida. “I am keeping them to have something to do. I don’t play golf,” the 76-year-old said of his retirement plans.
In Ohio, he owns the Mayflower and a theater in Greenville. He also has a drive-in in Winchester, Ind. Theaters he has in shopping centers, including the Movies 5 located off North Market Street in Troy, are in leased space.
Pfister built the red brick Mayflower building in the Georgian style of architecture just west of the Public Square in the late 1920s.
A public opening of the 600-seat venue with cushioned seats was held Jan. 31, 1928, when “Trojans packed the house,” according to the booklet “Troy: A Well-Balanced Town. The Best Small City in Ohio,” issued in 1931 by the Greater Troy Association.
The article noted the building cost of $100,000; its Wurlitzer organ, $15,000; and its Western Electronics Sound Equipment, the first installed in Miami County, $10,000.
Teicher said he’d like to see the building continue as home to theaters — known as Mayflower Cinema I and II with 130 and 70 seats respectively — but realizes someone might see it more attractive in another use. He’s experimented through the years with dollar theaters and art theaters, among other concepts.
The Teichers met at a theater — she worked in the box office — and both are movie fans. Joyce Teicher said Al calls each of his theaters every night to see how they are doing. “That’s part of me,” he said.
He said the Mayflower features a sturdy construction and offers a front-row seat to Troy’s downtown.
The theater was closed in recent weeks because of a lack of movies, but Teicher said he had plans to reopen it as more movies than can be shown at his other Troy theaters are released for the holidays.
Karin Manovich, executive director of the Troy Main Street downtown organization, said a theater downtown provides an important component to an expanded entertainment experience. To lose the theater would be a “big loss” to downtown Troy, she said.
“Many visitors to downtown Troy enjoy dinner at a downtown restaurant, a movie at the theater, and then perhaps a drink or coffee at another business. All of these activities can be done without ever getting back into your car and is part of ambiance of downtown,” Manovich said.
Teicher said anyone who calls (937) 271-7633 can discuss the theaters with him.
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