Ragtag in process of relocating

By Carolina Astrain

Published Feb. 19, 2008

The popular independent movie theater Ragtag Cinemacafé moved about a block away Monday and into its new location at 10 Hitt St.

Ragtag concluded its final night at its location at 23 N. Tenth St. with a 9:45 p.m. showing of Persepolis, an animated French film delving into the coming of age of a young girl living in Tehran, Iran, during its revolution.

Taking tickets in front of the black curtained entrance was Ragtag employee and projectionist Jon Westhoff.

Weshoff said he is excited about the move to their new location, but the last few days had been difficult on him.

“I don’t like change,” Westhoff said. “I like things steady as they go, so I don’t know, it’s very kind of mixed ... when I’m over there I’m just kind of like, ‘Oh this is awesome’ and then when I’m here, you know this place has so many flaws and everything about it, like there’s no reason to like this place.”

Westhoff said the Tenth Street location is inconvenient because it’s too small, the bathroom is in the theater and the noise goes every which way. He hopes some of the magic of the old Ragtag will be captured in the new space.

Thursday evening is the new location’s preview opening and the official opening is slated for Friday. In this new location, Uprise Bakery and 9th Street Video are also relocating — a convenience to some, but an inconvenience to resident Chris Canipe, a long-time Ragtag customer and this year, a True/False Film Fest volunteer.

“It’s kind of going be this cool like vacuum out of Ninth Street, and I walk to work everyday,” Canipe said. “I walk the full length of Ninth Street. I go through Uprise for coffee in the morning, so I’ve got to change my routine. I’m going have to go to Kaldi’s or something now or leave my house 10 minutes earlier, which is unlikely.”

There is no scheduled time for the preview Thursday, but updates can be found on the Ragtag’s Web site at www.ragtagfilm.com.