Cove theater for sale Posted On: Friday, Oct. 2 2009 05:45 AM By Jackie Stone
Killeen Daily Herald

COPPERAS COVE – The words "For Sale" are on the marquee of downtown's Cove Theater, but the popcorn will keep popping for Coveites who want to catch a movie on weekends.

Owner Brandon Sanders posted the notice a week ago; he said he has been trying to sell the theater since May.

Sanders said he doesn't have time to operate the theater because he is pursuing a professional acting career that takes him away from the business for months at a time.

"I want to be able to take (my wife and kids) with me, and of course, my wife is the one who runs them all and manages it, and so without us here, it's hard for us to do it," he said.

Sanders said he is asking $400,000 for the theater. He said he has had an interested buyer since June, but the buyer was unable to come up with the capital because of the recession. Sanders decided to see if he could get other offers.

Of the calls and inquiries Sanders has received, he said the serious ones have been from people who likely would keep the movie theater open.

Sanders said the theater has about 20 employees, including costumed waiters and waitresses who serve food during the movies. He said the economy has hurt the business, but that is not his main reason for selling.

"This last year was not quite as many in numbers, but it wasn't bad," he said.

The theater was closed last weekend for cleaning, but it will reopen this weekend.

Sanders said he will post "For Sale" signs on his other businesses in the strip along Avenue D this week, but they also will continue to operate for now.

He said he might keep some of those businesses and hire people to run them while he is away.

Contact Jackie Stone at jstone@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7474.