Cinemat keeping downtown location

Although The Cinemat was in danger of closing over the summer, it is now here to stay. \nOn July 20, the 5-year-old Cinemat was put on the market by owner Steve Volan, but at the end of August, he decided to keep the Cinemat running. \nVolan said he was forced to put his business up for sale because he simply did not have enough time to keep the place running. He is a current Bloomington City Council member for District 6, and is running for re-election. He said he thought someone else with fewer obligations might be able to dedicate more time to running the Cinemat.\n“I’m spread a little thin,” Volan said. “I’ve never been able to do just one thing.”\nThe Cinemat operates as a two-part business. Half of the store functions as a video rental store, which is comprised of roughly 5,000 different titles, Volan said. \nThe other half of the store now functions as a film screening and live performance venue.\nVolan said although a screening room in a video store sounded like a good idea on paper, it was not pulling its weight. \n“I run two different businesses in one place, it just happens to be the same cash register,” Volan said.\nWith only a few people interested, Volan was ready to throw in the towel at the end of August. However, a few faithful customers, who Volan now refers to as “The Booking Cloud,” were able to change his mind.\n“It’s a great place, and it shouldn’t go to waste,” said Sally Ward, member of “The Booking Cloud.”\nThe people who comprise “The Booking Cloud” are either in bands or know bands. Together the four of them have managed to book live shows for almost every day of the week. By the end of August they were able to liven up the screening room.\nWard said she handles the promotions, while fellow member Chris Couchman does most of the booking.\nVolan said the Cinemat plans to host more than just rock bands, but a variety of entertainment – bluegrass, jazz, comedy, game nights and even opera. \nThe Cinemat is open to “anyone who wants to put on a show,” Volan said. “We are a really good venue for it.”\nSince it’s the only video store in Indiana with a permit to serve beer, the Cinemat has the versatility to do a variety of shows. Beer can be served during events for the 21 and over crowd, but the Cinemat is still willing to hold all-ages shows. Shows are available for booking at $25 for a four-hour block, Volan said.\nAlthough Volan is still a busy man, he is focusing his energy on keeping the Cinemat running, he said. \n“I was looking forward to the extra time,” Volan said. “But I love what I created here.”