Project Information

Bid Title

Movie Theater Operator

Issuing Agency

Town of New Canaan

Location

Connecticut

Published Date

Dec 3, 2025

Closing Date

Jan 7, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

Join to Access Full Details

Bid Inquiries

Join to Access Full Details

Bid Documents

Join to Access Full Details

Project Description

Description	Opening Date/Time	Closing Date/Time
Movie Theater Operator	December 03, 2025 :	January 07, 2026 12:30 PM

Attachment Preview

TOWN OF NEW CANAAN

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

MOVIE THEATER OPERATOR

ISSUE DATE:

ISSUED BY:

QUESTIONS:

SUBMISSION

DEADLINE:

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2025

TOWN OF NEW CANAAN

77 MAIN STREET

NEW CANAAN, CT 06840

WILLIAM OESTMANN

EMAIL: WILLIAM.OESTMANN@NEWCANAANCT.GOV

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2026, 12:30 P.M.

4923-9758-0155, v. 2

Page | 1

Summary

The Town of New Canaan is seeking proposals from organizations with experience

managing and operating cinemas to operate the movie theater known as The Playhouse,

located at 93 Elm Street, New Canaan, Connecticut. The Town owns the Playhouse

building and intends to lease The Playhouse building to the successful respondent.

The Playhouse is a landmark two story building located in the heart of downtown New

Canaan. The Playhouse building was originally constructed in 1923. In 2022, the Town

commenced work on an $8.5 million interior and exterior renovation project. The project

was completed in June, 2024. The Playhouse held its grand re-opening on June 27, 2024.

The leased space will include the entire building, consisting of two screening rooms,

projection control room, first floor pub and concession area, and second floor

lounge/event space with full-service bar overlooking Elm Street. The screening rooms

are equipped with state-of-the-art projection equipment, sound systems and luxurious

imported seats, all of which were installed in 2024. Each of the two screening rooms has

100 seats (total of 200 seats). The building is ADA compliant and includes an elevator.

The movie theater is currently operating under a month-to-month management services

agreement with a cinema operator company.

A copy of this RFP may be obtained on the Town’s website

https://www.newcanaan.info/online_services/bid_notices_(request_for_proposal).php.

Mandatory Site Visit

All respondents are expected to visit the site before submitting their proposals. Site visits

can be scheduled by contacting the Town’s Superintendent of Buildings, Bill Oestmann

at 203-594-3710, or emailing at william.oestmann@newcanaanct.gov.

Questions

Questions regarding this RFP are to be submitted in writing via email to William

Oestmann, Superintendent of Buildings at william.oestmann@newcanaanct.gov, no later

than 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025. Questions will be answered by an

addendum

which

will

be

posted

on

the

website

https://www.newcanaan.info/online_services/bid_notices_(request_for_proposal).php. It

is the respondent’s responsibility to check the website for any addendum that may have

been issued for this RFP.

Submission Requirements

Interested parties are invited to submit proposals by Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 12:30

p.m. (the “Submission Deadline”), to:

4923-9758-0155, v. 2

Page | 2

First Selectman’s Office

Town of New Canaan

77 Main Street

New Canaan, CT 06824

Proposals should be signed and delivered in a sealed envelope labeled “Proposal – Movie

Theater Operator” and must be delivered to the office of the First Selectman on or before

the Submission Deadline.

Each respondent shall submit (1) one original and one (1) printed copy plus one electronic

version (on flash drive).

Proposals submitted by telephone, e-mail or fax will not be considered.

Proposals received after the Submission Deadline will not be considered.

A respondent may withdraw its proposal prior to the Submission Deadline, provided that

the respondent’s request for the withdrawal is delivered to the First Selectman’s Office prior

to the Submission Deadline.

A respondent may not withdraw a proposal within ninety (90) days of the Submission

Deadline.

No elected or appointed official or employee of the Town, during his or her tenure or one

year thereafter, shall be permitted to share in, have interest in or benefit from, directly or

indirectly, any contract or agreement resulting from this RFP.

The Town shall not be responsible for any expenses incurred by the respondent in

preparing and submitting a proposal.

All proposals shall provide a straightforward, concise delineation of the respondent’s

capabilities to satisfy the requirements of this RFP. Emphasis should be on completeness

and clarity of content.

The words “respondent” and “tenant” are used in this RFP to refer to parties submitting

proposals in response to this RFP with the intention of leasing The Playhouse from the

Town.

Minimum Qualifications

Respondents must have at least three years of experience operating at least one

successful movie theater within the United States. Preference will be given to

respondents with experience operating in a historic or landmark building in an urban or

downtown location.

4923-9758-0155, v. 2

Page | 3

Respondents should have the operational structure, staff resources, and financial

capabilities necessary to successfully perform the services and to fulfill the obligations

outlined in this RFP. Proposals will be accepted from both for-profit and non-profit

entities. Preference will be given to respondents with a demonstrated ability to operate

movie theaters in a financially prudent manner.

The respondent’s key professionals and organization must not have, nor could they

potentially have, a material conflict of interest with the Town or any elected or appointed

official of the Town.

Specific Items To Be Included In Each Proposal

Proposals should include an introductory cover letter addressed to the Town’s First Selectman

on the respondent’s letterhead. The cover letter should be signed by a principal owner or

officer of the respondent.

Proposals should be in narrative form and address each of the following points/items.

1. Provide the respondent’s complete name, address, phone number and website. Include

the primary contact's name, phone number, and e-mail address.

2. Include the respondent’s form of business entity (e.g., business corporation, limited

liability company, non-stock corporation) and domicile state (e.g. Connecticut, New York,

Delaware).

3. Describe the respondent’s business organization structure (i.e., affiliates, parent

companies and subsidiaries).

4. Provide a brief history of the respondent’s organization (including the date founded),

ownership structure and affiliations, and any substantive changes in the last five

years. Note any planned or anticipated changes in the ownership or management

of the respondent during the next two years.

5. Provide the names, titles, and biographies of the individuals on the respondent’s

management team.

6. Identify all distributors and studios with which the respondent currently holds license

or distribution agreements and the date on which those agreements were initiated.

If the respondent was a party to any license or distribution agreement that expired

or terminated within the last ten years, describe the circumstances under which the

agreement expired or terminated. Include the expiration date of each current license

and distribution agreement.

7. Describe the films that the respondent plans to present (e.g., first run, independent

films, etc.). Pornographic/X-Rated films will not be accepted.

8. Provide a proposed schedule of screen times.

9. Describe any interior improvements or alterations that the respondent would like to

make.

10. Describe the steps that respondent will need to take prior to grand re-opening and

include a timeline with dates.

4923-9758-0155, v. 2

Page | 4

11. Describe how the respondent proposes to use the building’s second floor space.

Preference will be given to proposals that articulate a clear vision of how the second

floor space may be used to benefit the community.

12. Explain how the respondent proposes to contribute to the vibrancy of downtown New

Canaan, including ideas for special promotions, charity events, partnerships with

local businesses and community engagement.

13. Identify each movie theater that respondent has operated within the past ten years.

Include the address of each theater and the name and telephone number of a

representative of each landlord. If the respondent no longer operates the theater,

explain the circumstances under which theater operation ended.

14. Discuss any past or present litigation or regulatory actions by or against the

respondent.

15. Disclose whether the respondent has been a party to any voluntary or involuntary

bankruptcy or receivership action or petition within the last ten years.

16. Include copies of the respondent’s financial statements for the three most recent

annual reporting periods.

17. Identify the proposed named tenant and guarantor (if applicable) of the lease.

(Include financial statements for the three most recent reporting periods.)

18. In the past ten years, has the respondent closed a movie theater? If yes, provide

details.

19. In the past ten years, has any lease of which the respondent was a party terminated

or expired? If yes, provide details.

20. Indicate the proposed fixed rent for each of the five years of the initial term.

Respondents may incorporate in their proposals a formula based on gross sales. If

a proposal includes a formula based on gross sales, then the proposal should

include sales projections for each of the five years of the initial term.

21. Indicate the proposed security deposit.

22. Provide at least three references that the Town may contact, including name, title,

telephone number, and email address. At least one reference should be affiliated

with a past or current landlord. The Town reserves the right to contact the

respondent’s references regarding movie theater operations. By submitting a

proposal, the respondent authorizes the Town to contact its references.

Lease Details

The relationship between the Town and the respondent will be structured as a lease.

Respondents must clearly indicate in their proposals the name of the entity that will be

named as the tenant in the lease as well as the name of any entity that will provide a

guaranty of the lease. If a respondent proposes a special purpose entity as the named

tenant, the respondent is advised to identify a well-capitalized entity as a guarantor.

Substitution of entities after submission of a proposal is prohibited. A request by a

successful respondent to substitute a different entity as the named tenant or named

guarantor will be grounds for disqualification of an award.

4923-9758-0155, v. 2

Page | 5

* Disclaimer: Government BidHub provides information on bids, RFPs (Requests for Proposals), and RFQs (Requests for Qualifications) solely for convenience and informational purposes. This site is not an official public notice board. For official details, responses, or inquiries, please contact the relevant government agency directly.