You may have heard of Bookhouse Cinema before, a local small theater and restaurant near downtown Joplin. After the cinema announced they were closing last year, brothers and movie lovers Nathan and Caleb Hurley, along with friend Andrew Clanton, decided to take it over and make it their own. On a recent episode of the KGCS-TV series, Newsmakers, we talked with the Hurley brothers about the new Royale Cinema Lounge and their goals for the business.
“When Bookhouse came along I didn’t want it to go away,” says Nathan, “that was one of the reasons we stepped in.”
As members of the band Fox Royale, Nathan and Caleb named the Royale Cinema after their band. “It seemed like the humble thing to do,” joked Caleb.
The lounge offers multiple areas to watch films, delicious concessions and a bar featuring beer, cocktails, and even local wines. The business owners wanted the vibes to be more like a lounge and less like a restaurant. Having both worked in the food industry, the brothers didn’t want to add that kind of stress to their new business. “We wanted to go for more of a coffee shop vibe,” says Nathan.
VHS tapes line all corners of the Royale Cinema Lounge, something Caleb Hurley has been tracking down and collecting over the years. “I spend a lot of time at estate sales right now just finding any that I can.”
Movie watchers can relax and watch a movie either on the big screen in the showing room, or they can sit in front of one of the many classic televisions and pop in a VHS tape to watch whichever classic or niche film they choose.
The lounge also offers memberships to come watch their movies. “Royale Insiders” offers a free subscription to a mailing list, weekly updates, $5 for classic movies and re-releases, and $8 for new releases. “Royale Insiders+” members have priority access to weekly movie titles and updates, invitations to exclusive events and private screenings, discounts on concessions and merchandise, earn points with every purchase, and have unlimited entry to the lounge.
Royale Cinema Lounge is located at 715 Broadway Joplin, Missouri 64801. Their hours are 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday through Thursday, and 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Fridays.
Visit their website to learn more! https://www.royalecinemajoplin.com
