Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Warren's Dipson Theatre will reopen the week of August 21 but be limited to 50 percent capacity. The theatre has been closed since initial closures brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Warren’s Dipson Theatre is set to reopen after being shuttered for months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Thursday statement by the Buffalo-based theater chain indicated that the theatre at the Warren Mall will reopen Aug. 21. Theaters at the Chautauqua Mall and Lakewood, N.Y., also operated by Dipson, are not yet scheduled to open.

“Unfortunately, our New York locations must remain closed per the direction of the governor of New York State. We are hopeful we will be allowed to open soon,” the statement explained.

“We want to thank you for your loyalty, understanding, and patience over the last five months while the pandemic caused this brief closure. We are extremely excited to open our doors once again and to serve you the way you are accustomed to.”

While the theatre can reopen, operations won’t look like they did before the pandemic started.

“We also want to assure you that the reopening of our locations is being conducted in a safe manner that protects the health of our staff and all of you,” the statement said.

That includes staff wearing PPE, plexiglass screens at concession stands, employee temperature checks and an investment in “EPA approved cleaning products and equipment that continue(s) to kill COVID-19 for up to 90 days on any surface.”

Seating capacity will be limited to 50 percent “for the time being” with hand and seat sanitizers available at all locations.

They also encourage moviegoers to purchase their tickets online.

“Customers will be mandated to wear masks in the lobbies (and) bathrooms and while watching the movie while not enjoying our delicious popcorn and other treats. Social distancing has become the new norm and it will apply in all areas of the movie theatre.”