Murray, Hudes Lead Residents in Fight to Keep Levittown Movie Theatre Safe and Booze-Free

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilman Gary Hudes have called on the New York State Liquor Authority to reject a popular Levittown movie theatre’s plans to sell booze in addition to the traditional cinema fare of popcorn, soda and candy.

A national movie theatre company, American Multi-Cinema, Inc., has announced its intention to file an application for a license to sell beer, wine and liquor at the AMC Theatres Nassau Metroplex 10 (commonly known as Loews Theatres), located just west of the Nassau Mall at 3585 Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown. Murray and Hudes outlined their disdain for AMC’s plan in a letter sent to the chairman of the New York State Liquor Authority on December 12th.

In an effort to keep booze away from this popular Levittown movie theatre, Supervisor Murray and Councilman Hudes are asking community members to join them in expressing their opposition to this plan at a rally on Saturday, December 17th at 1 p.m. in front of the Loews Theatres.

“If movies booze, families lose,” Murray said. “The safety of our children is at stake. The sale of alcoholic beverages in a wholesome neighborhood cinema is an outrageous idea.”

“Join us in our fight to keep this popular movie theatre booze-free,” Hudes said. “Otherwise, the coming attractions will show alcohol and trouble.”

The sale of beer, wine and liquor at the Loews Theatres in Levittown generates a host of concerns for patrons and neighbors, especially children in the community. Parents who drop off youngsters to enjoy wholesome entertainment have legitimate concerns about exposing their unsupervised children to drunken adults.

Additionally, the mix of ten separate theatres and several hundred people in dark rooms combined with the consumption of alcohol is an invitation for mischief, underage drinking, vandalism and violence. Finally, the theatre’s location in a tremendously busy and chaotic parking lot that serves the cinema and surrounding stores makes this an especially bad location for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

“Join us at our rally on Saturday, December 17th,” Murray said. “Help us keep this movie theatre a safe haven for our children and a mainstay for our community.”

Residents can also make their voices heard by submitting letters to the New York State Liquor Authority. Objection form letters will be available at the December 17th rally. Those who cannot attend the rally can find the letter in email and printable formats below.