I had a great customer service experience and I thought I would share it with you. My fiancee and I live in Mount Vernon, Iowa and like to frequent the old-school, single-screen movie theater in town called the Bijou. It’s a family run theater with cheap prices ($4/movie) and a great reputation as a family-friendly place. Before each of the showings the owner/manager greets the crowd, gives out prizes, and welcomes any first-timers in the audience.
That is nothing compared to the other night. We went to see “Balls of Fury” and found out we were the ONLY people who came to see it. Instead of canceling the show due to low attendance (or establishing a house minimum) the owner, Jerry, greeted us and talked about how he’ll run the shows for just one person. He figures that if someone has planned their day around a movie at the Bijou then the Bijou should fulfill that plan. Also, even though we were the only two people in the crowd he still gave us the prize (medium soft drink and popcorn)! We left smiling and it wasn’t because the movie was that good.
Ah, the heartland. Nothing rivals small-town person-to-person customer service. To us, family-owned businesses led by a gracious, good-natured owners were dreamt up by Madison Ave fluff-masters and bottled in 30-second segments; something rarely seen flourishing in the wild. Every business should strive to emulate Jerry’s exceptional consumer-centric philosophy.
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When I was an underclassman at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, we had a similar place: University Square Theater. $3.00 Movies (only 4 or 5 years ago!), beer and concession stand food, and a small screen set up for just this possibility. I saw Warr of the Worlds in that theater while reclining in a knock-off Lazy Boy. Good Times. Makes me want to stop by Bijou Theaters next time I’m driving through Mt. Vernon (which, coincidentally enough, I do on occasion).
I just love hearing things about my home state. The ‘quaint’ remarks are a little weird though. I’m not sure about the rest of the country, but this theater is not the exception in Iowa. There are several small cinemas all throughout the state that are well staffed, cheap ($1 a seat), and some are even run by volunteer staff. The one in Vinton, Iowa comes to mind. If you don’t mind waiting a few weeks for the latest and greatest movie they are a real bargain.
For those who have knocked “Balls of Fury”, obviously it’s because you haven’t seen this most excellent movie.
How cool to see this theater pop up on your site. I lived in Mt. Vernon for a couple years and lived in Cedar Rapids for 30 years and know the town well. I’ve watched a few movies there when it was known as The Odeum and also after the change of hands. It’s always been a friendly place and I’m glad to see that’s still true. When I move back to Iowa next year (I’m in Portland, OR now) I’ll have go to Mt. Vernon to watch a movie and grab some of the best pizza in the world just down the street at Pizza Palace.
The Rose Theater in Port Townsend Washington not only has real butter, but a full “flavor” bar where you can spice your popcorn with lemon pepper, chili powder or even nutritional yeast. The owner Rocky used to hand deliver a large fresh bag of popcorn whenever he came to pay his advertising bill. I miss small town theaters.