Mr. SkitchThe Plaza stood strong through floods and droughts, recessions and booms, its screen illuminated with new releases, art-house and independent films, until 2020, when it was forced to close after struggling to stay afloat during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.This story, however, has a hero: Fatima Allie Dobrowolski.
The doors remained closed — but, this time, to undergo extensive renovations. The result, unveiled in January 2022, features lush pink carpets and furnishings, locally made artwork depicting films like, a café and a speakeasy-style cocktail bar. “Movies transport you for a moment in time to another place,” says Dobrowolski. “We wanted to create that sense of being transported from the moment you walked through the doors.
Dobrowolski hopes to make the Plaza a gathering place for not just movie-lovers, but for all who frequent Kensington. “People called us the heart of the community because of where we’re placed. But it’s not something you can just claim; you have to earn it,” she says.One way Dobrowolski serves the community is through BYO Baby, a weekly mid-morning screening designed for those with children under the age of one.
Thanks to Dobrowolski’s vision and dedication to maintaining the building’s history, it seems the Plaza is earning its place as the heart of the community once more.Want more suggestions for the best things to do in Calgary? Sign up for our Weekender Newsletter.This article appears in the August 2022 issue of Avenue Calgary.