New Naples Cinematheque likely on former Del's site welcome in Bayshore: What to know

Leadership in the Bayshore Arts District in Naples have been working to bring more business owners into the area to meet the demand for more arts and culture.

So when David Garonzik brought his vintage theater idea to Naples, the community quickly welcomed him.

Garonzik's theater, Naples Cinematheque, is a project he's been working toward for months now.

In April, The Collier County Board of County Commissioners approved Garonzik's request to buy a piece of land in Bayshore for the cinema. Now Garonzik is working on finalizing the sale so he can break ground on the spot where Del's 24-Hour Food Store once stood.

More: Bayshore vintage movie theater in Naples one step closer to construction

What makes Naples Cinematheque special?

Naples Cinematheque will run curated feature films that are no longer being shown in regular movie theaters, such as foreign, historical, documentary and indie films.

"The first‑run movies currently being produced and shown in multi-plexs don’t necessarily appeal to Naples’s demographic," Garonzik said. "Naples might have movie theaters, but they don’t have a cinema."

Garonzik will curate every single set of films for the theater based around unique holidays and themes.

By showing vintage films and rarities, Garonzik hopes to get the Naples community engaged in cinema ― like they're engaged in theater and nature.

"Naples has some of the best cultural institutions in the world, but they don’t have a cinema equivalent," Garonzik said. "They don’t have a cinema that is the equivalent to the Kristen Coury’s Gulfshore Playhouse, or Opera Naples, or Artis Naples, or the Baker Museum or even the Botanical Gardens. And the culture is poorer when people can’t see the types of films that Naples Cinematheque would be curating."

Previously: Vintage movie theater looking to open in Bayshore at former Del's location

How does cinema fit into the community?

Naples Cinematheque will be located in Bayshore, close by the Naples Botanical Garden and the Gulfshore Playhouse.

"I think that Bayshore is still emerging as arts destination," CEO of Gulfshore Playhouse Kristen Coury said. "I think this (cinematheque) will definitely help anchor that. And, in general, it will definitely add another cultural thread to the community at large."

Garonzik noted that having Naples Cinematheque may bring in more tourism, since there's nothing like it locally.

"A movie theater is just a movie theater," Garonzik said. "It has a first run film, it shows, and then it goes away but it's not really contributing to to the community as a cultural landscape. People abroad aren't necessarily going to look at Naples because of the Regal Cinema but if you have a cinematheque that's promoting the history of cinema, bringing in archived film, showing rare films... that'll add to the cultural landscape of the community."

Garonzik plans on working closely with existing businesses, like the Naples Botanical Garden and the Golisano Children's Museum.

"There's some great areas of collaboration that could happen between the cinematheque and the garden," President and CEO of Naples Botanical Garden Donna McGinnis said.

"When we are doing a special festival, for example, we do a big Dia de los Muertos weekend, we can be doing things on site at the garden, but there could be also corresponding films that go on with our festival."

McGinnis mentioned the garden and the cinematheque might share parking too, due to how close the two businesses will be.

Garonzik said the community has welcomed him and his project with open arms since the beginning, which he deeply appreciates.

"I just think cinematheques are really neat and sophisticated and they really enhance cultural and intellectual stimulation," said Frank Verpoorten, executive director of Naples Art Institute. "And Naples doesn't have anything like it yet."

Garonzik is excited to bring his project to Naples, a place he says is like no other.

"Naples has this whole culture of going out and going to events and celebrating things in a group and in a communal setting and sharing in that way," Garonzik said. "And that's what makes it probably more special than any place I've been to."

What's next?

Garonzik said Collier County officials are working on their final appraisals now, then they'll move into the purchase agreement. He estimates it'll take a month or two to finalize the agreement, then Garonzik can begin the construction process for Naples Cinematheque.

For more information on Naples Cinematheque visit www.naplescinematheque.com or email Garonzik at david@naplescinema.com.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Bayshore says vintage theater Naples Cinematheque a welcome addition