CRESTVIEW — Movies and More's seven former employees and volunteers are removing what they can from the Northview Plaza business that closed April 20.
They are also saying goodbye.
While Wayne Myatt's wife, Tina, worked as the manager, he often volunteered at the theater, promoting it online and occasionally operating the upstairs film projector.
"I actually didn't mind not getting paid because it was fun and enjoyable," he said.
Myatt said he enjoyed seeing families return on multiple occasions for dinner and a movie, the theater's specialty.
Ticket prices averaged $3 per person, and customers could share pizza, popcorn, hotdogs and other refreshments.
The theatre also hosted birthday parties and school trips since it opened in 2011, Myatt said.
Former part-time employee Cheri Hinson, who also works with special needs children at Northwood Elementary School, said she enjoyed just visiting the theater.
And she was hoping to share the experience of working there with her daughter. Hinson had it all planned out.
"It was going to be (her) first job," she said.
A number of customers who shared their comments on Movies and More's Facebook page said the loss is substantial for families on a budget.
"I was very (saddened) to hear of the quick closure of this family-fun night business," Crestview resident Nancy Byrd-Zarin said. "I loved the workers and the atmosphere that they created."
Tina Ferrari agreed.
"(It was a) very affordable place for families to have dinner and see a movie. A shame they closed," she said.
Although Movies and More's future looks bleak, Wayne hopes that a similar theater will be available in the near future.
"Miracles are possible; we hope that there will be something else," he said.
"There is definitely a need for this in Crestview."
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Residents reminisce on budget theater's closure