A movie theater in Essex County that went out of business during the COVID-19 pandemic will soon welcome back movie fans.

The Montclair Film, which operates the Montclair Film Festival, has signed a lease with Claridge Cinemas in Montclair to operate the theater.

“You’ve got a six-screen independent arthouse movie theater that’s not being used across the street – literally across the street – from the Montclair Film’s headquarters,” says Montclair Film founder and chairman Bob Feinberg.

Feinberg says that the organization will run Claridge Cinemas as a nonprofit as a way to grow Montclair Film’s film and educational programming.

“The Claridge Cinemas will give us an opportunity to interact with a much larger audience, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year,” Feinberg says.

The reopening announcement is the latest good news for moviegoers in Montclair. Last month the owner of the Bellevue Theatre in Montclair announced reopening plans after being shuttered for several years.

The Claridge will undergo some renovations to get ready for audiences. Montclair Film’s lease will last at least five years.

The theater is expected to reopen in October, in time for the Montclair Film Festival.