Phoenix Theatres owner supports theatrical exclusivity

Blake Bacho | The Monroe News

The owner of Phoenix Theatres in Monroe said he fully supports a recent statement from the National Association of Theatre Owners that says the subpar performance of Marvel Studios’ latest film proves that theatrical exclusivity is the way forward for theaters and studios alike.

Cory Jacobson said that Marvel’s long-delayed Black Widow had a strong opening and second weekend performance at his establishment located at the Mall of Monroe. But he says NATO was correct in its statement that Disney – Marvel’s parent company – left money on the table with its plan to simultaneously release the film in theaters, as well as for a premium price on its streaming service, Disney Plus.

The issue of simultaneous, theatrical and home video releases of major motion pictures has been a point of contention between theaters and studios for over a year, as both sides have struggled to survive the onset and worsening of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Disney is certainly not the only major studio that has released some of its 2020 and 2021 films on a streaming service and in theaters simultaneously – or forgone a theatrical release altogether while theaters were shut down completely. But Jacobson said that he believes NATO singled them out because they were one of the last major studios to commit to returning to a theatrical exclusivity window once the pandemic subsides.

“I believe (NATO) did an outstanding job of summarizing for an investor in Disney, or any studio, why the theatrical experience adds to their bottom line and the longevity of the film,” Jacobson said. “I believe that when you look at the amount of money you need to produce a movie such as Black Widow, or any other major production, you need that theatrical money along with the home video money as well for a successful launch of your product. I believe strongly you need windowing (the time theaters have exclusive rights to a film before it can be released digitally or on Blu Ray) of about 60-to-90 days to get maximum revenue potential …”

In its statement, NATO said that Widow‘s “excellent reviews, positive word of mouth, and strong previews and opening day total… led to a surprising 41 percent second day drop, a weaker than expected opening weekend, and a stunning second weekend collapse in theatrical revenues.” It said that while Disney has said its simultaneous release model has been a success, Widow‘s performance “demonstrates that an exclusive theatrical release means more revenue for all stakeholders in every cycle of the movie’s life.”

“Based on comparable Marvel titles, and other successful pandemic-era titles like F9 and A Quiet Place 2 opening day to weekend ratios, Black Widow should have opened to anywhere from $92-$100 million.” the statement reads. “Based on preview revenue, compared to the same titles, Black Widow could have opened to anywhere from $97 to $130 million.”

Jacobson believes that Phoenix Theatres had an advantage over many other movie complexes across the country because it offers the premium, Encore Auditorium experience, which offers amenities including a larger screen, improved sound quality, and luxury seating. As a whole, he is pleased with how both Widow and Warner Bros’ Space Jam 2 – which was a simultaneous release on the HBO Max streaming service – have performed in Monroe.

“In Monroe last weekend (was) the first weekend (in 2021) that we actually surpassed 2019 figures for the same week in 2019,” he said. “That’s a pretty promising sign that, as a business, we’re returning to normal levels. We view what the studios are doing right now as a pandemic model. I think, incidentally, as an industry we have to realize that they have a business, and we have a business, and we work well when we work well together.”

Perkins open for business

Melanie Murray
Perkins Township’s urban planner, zoning Inspector

Apr 19, 2021 9:00 AM

Over the course of the last year, the world has undeniably changed. We conduct business differently, and many of the changes that society has gotten used to have changed us for the better. As the threat of COVID-19 simmers down, we are left to pick up where we left off a year ago.

Perkins Township is and has remained open for business.

Like townships and cities in the area, we adapted, worked from home and conducted business differently. Many of the township’s planned projects were delayed or put off for a year due to budgetary constraints. But, in the past year, business has flourished in Perkins Township. I encourage you to actively look for changes that are taking place.

Development is happening in every direction:

  • The Sandusky Mall Complex is a prime example. They are actively reinvesting into our community with the redevelopment of the mall and the addition of 100-plus new apartment units on the rear of the property.
  • Firelands hospital is building a beautiful new health care center on the corner of Perkins and Columbus avenues.
  • Raising Canes has started construction.
  • Work on the new Fairfield Inn has begun, which will change the skyline of U.S. 250.
  • Many new homes are being constructed throughout the township, which will only facilitate future growth.

Looking ahead to the rest of 2021, there are dozens of new projects and exciting changes to come. Our recreation department is expanding its services, public works road projects are starting, sidewalks are being installed, and beautification projects are underway.

As we plan for the future beyond COVID-19, the planning department has worked to finish a new comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan will serve to guide Perkins Township’s growth and the quality of development as well as identifying the infrastructure and community facilities necessary to support growth.

The updated plan, the previous one was adopted in 2005, will balance current needs with the township’s projected future needs. The growth that the township has faced over the last 30 years has led to continued coordination of orderly development within the township. The plan touches on existing conditions and the township’s goals, objectives and implementation strategies to address changes in the future.

Neighborhood/district plans are also underway to provide in-depth analysis of the neighborhoods, amenities and their needs. The establishment of new districts and branding strategies will help foster community-originated identity for the township as a whole and its neighborhoods. Considerations from enhanced safety measures to increased transportation and mobility will be reviewed and recommended.

As we progress forward into a new era, I believe Perkins Township will continue to move forward. Our successes can be contributed to those partnerships Perkins Township has found in Perkins Schools, nonprofit organizations, such as OHgo, and our many large and small businesses.

We will continue to work and plan within state and local health guidelines as we conduct business to the best of our ability. We owe our local safety services departments and health care workers a great deal of thanks, as the last year has not been easy on anyone but especially them.

As I reflect on the past year, I believe that the collaboration across the county has positioned our communities to rise from the ashes of this pandemic, with fingers crossed that we will only have to go through this experience once.

Governmental entities in our area were arguably hit harder than most others in the state, but we are open for business and looking toward a bright future.

Vintage comic book store opens at Mall of Monroe

Lisa Vidaurri Bowling
Special to the Monroe News  April 16, 2022

Wonderworld Comics is a new tenant at the Mall of Monroe, taking the space once occupied by Game Stop.

Owned and operated by Dennis Barger, the store offers a wide variety of vintage comics, games, toys, and Beanie Babies displayed in a retro, 1990s style.


The Carleton resident, who started collecting comics at age 11, has been in the comic book industry for more than 30 years and has owned businesses in the Downriver area.

Last December, he was celebrating his 50th birthday at Phoenix Theatres and was “shocked to see the number of people at the mall.”

The activity piqued his curiosity and he contacted mall owners about opening a retro comic store where he would sell old comics, games, toys, movies, and general merchandise.


In addition to selling, Barger also buys comics, games, and toys.
He said 99 percent of comic book stores in the country relegate their vintage offerings to long white boxes located at the back of the store with a $1 sign.

“I’ve always said this stuff is too gorgeous to shove in a box and I’ve been playing with the idea of putting those books on a wall so people could see all that gorgeous art, charge slightly more for it and get people to buy it,” he said. “We’re going to be using a 90s theme. Everything that was hot in the 90s, we’ll be doing it.”

Barger’s business strategy is to offer bundle pricing where retailers offer different products as a package deal and sell them to customers at a lower price than it would cost to purchase them individually. Barger estimates a high percentage of his sales stem from the bundle pricing strategy.


Branden Morrison and his family stumbled onto the new store by surprise while they were waiting to see a matinée movie. While Branden surveyed comics books, his wife April and sons, Bourbon, 8 and Gibson, 7, searched through sticker bins.

“This place is awesome. I didn’t know it was here,” Morrison said. “This place will give me a reason to come to the mall.”


Barger has seen a correlation with sales and comic book movies recently featured at the mall. On the day Wonderworld Comics opened, he sold large volumes of “Sonic the Hedgehog,” “Batman,” “Spiderman” and “Spawn” comics.

“One thing the comic book industry has been good at is refreshing the brand for the next generation,” he said. “Classically, from the late 80s to the early 90s is when most of the characters got a new look. Spider-Man got the black suit, then the black suit became (the character) Venom and at that same time, animated series like ‘Batman’ were being developed and produced.”
Despite a pandemic and challenging economic times, comic stores continue to set up shop across the country.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by how well we’ve been received,” Barger added. “I want to make comics affordable and fun.”

In the future, Barger plans to appeal to players of the game Pogs and offer retro Pog tournaments. Pogs is a game that was popular in the mid-1990s using cardboard discs. He will also continue working on the former Denniston Cinema at 6495 N. Monroe St., a location he purchased in 2017.
For now, Barger will focus on Free Comic Book Day scheduled for May 7. The event will include free comics, special offers and guest appearances like “The Simpsons” and “Futurama” comic artist Bill Morrison, the co-founder of Bongo Comics and “Star Wars” actor Jerome Blake.