Wyo Theatre Controversy
In late March Laramie businessman John Guthrie announced his plans to purchase and restore the Wyo Theatre.
According to Guthrie the Wyo Theatre is scheduled to reopen in August with many new renovations including exterior work, restrooms, and a new heating/cooling unit.
During the time it has been closed however, reports from followers of the Wyo Theatre Facebook Page have expressed concern to Laramie Live. Many have reported attacks toward other community businesses, including the Gryphon Theatre and Fox Cinema. Among other things, Guthrie refers to Gryphon customers as a "boozy" crowd.
The following screen shots from the Wyo Theatre Facebook page were submitted to us...
Although Guthrie has proclaimed in multiple places the Laramie Film Society is supportive of the theater project, we received this statement from the Laramie Film Society.
The board wants to work with the Gryphon Theatre now and in the future, just as we want to continue to work with a wide variety of local businesses and organizations.
We show movies at the County Library every year, we've worked with Cross Country Connection, the Music Box, Hastings, the Wyo Theatre, LCCC, the American Heritage Center, the Eppson Center for Seniors, the LOCO Farmers Market, and with the Gryphon Theater, too.
We'll work with any business or organization that allows us to expand the availability of good movies in Laramie.
If there is any argument between the Gryphon Theater and the Wyo Theater, the LFS Board wants no part of it. We're not taking sides.
Our intention is to avoid the trap of succumbing to the "you have to be either with us or against us" kind of choice that some people want to impose on us.
Local businessman Matthew Brammer wrote a blog article titled 'The Wyo Theatre Controversy... and how NOT to do business.' Read Brammer's thoughts here.
Is this good business practice? Will this hurt or inspire business at the Wyo? Sound off in the comments section or Facebook.