KAYENTA – The smell of buttery popcorn and sour pickles filled the Black Mesa Twin Cinema lobby as Dean Redsteer, 19, took orders from new theatregoers on Friday, June 13.
“I am very excited to be employed here,” Redsteer said, surprised that the Black Mesa Twin Cinema has reopened. “I started working when they were building the place. I think a lot of people will love it.”
Managed by entrepreneur Logan Tsinigine and Corn Pollen Theatres, LLC, the cinema is now open Wednesdays through Sundays, with shows at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Locals can enjoy movies like How to Train a Dragon or Mission Impossible.
Jarvis Williams, administrator for Kayenta Township, told Nygren News that the reopening of Black Mesa Twin Cinema signals to aspiring entrepreneurs that they should pursue their dreams.
“The efforts of Corn Pollen Theatres, LLC to reopen this theatre benefit not just the community but everyone who visits Kayenta,” Williams said. “It provides an opportunity for people to socialize, talk with each other, and have a good time in a theatre setting.”
For Lisa Muir of Pinon, Ariz., attending the grand reopening to watch How to Train a Dragon with her children offers a convenient alternative to driving two hours to Gallup, Farmington, Flagstaff, or Cortez.
“Everything is expensive,” Muir said. “Going to the theatre can be costly, and this is convenient for us. It’s just a 45- to 50-minute drive, and we’re coming down to visit my grandpa nearby.”
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren emphasized that the use of tax dollars benefiting Kayenta and the entrepreneurial efforts of Corn Pollen Theatres, LLC, are worth celebrating, as they help stimulate the regional economy through access to films.
“I believe Black Mesa Twin Cinema will be around for a long time,” President Nygren said. “This Navajo-ownership shows that we’re capable of running businesses. We can create jobs for our Navajo people because that Navajo spirit runs through each of us. This isn’t just a place to watch movies—it’s also an opportunity to showcase Navajo films.”
