Attention Supporters of the MN Metal and Movie Scenes and Friends of SwordLord...

[BlackRoseMetalHeart]

For those of you who know SwordLord (Nathan), most of you are probably aware of his affiliation with the Minnesota metal scene through his promotion company, SwordLord Productions. What many of you may or may not be aware of, however, is Nathan's connection with the MN movie/theatre scene through the two theatres that he owns (a first run - The Woodbury 10 - and a second run - The Plaza Maplewood).

Much of what funds SwordLord Productions and the great shows that Nathan puts together is at least somewhat made possible through the success he has experienced as a small business owner with these theatres. (Just ask Brent, aka Metalmilita2000, who is the general manager for The Plaza Maplewood theatre.)

Today, I received this e-mail:

To the Friends of the Plaza:

I deeply apologize for this form letter but as there are many of you
that care about my little theatre, this is the easiest way to get the
correct and full information out to you.

Sometime between 3:00am and 6:00am on Sunday, April 27, two minors
broke into the Plaza Maplewood Theatre by prying open the side
entrance doors to one of the auditoriums. They proceeded to do
extensive damage to the theatre: slicing one of the theatre screens,
destroying all the glass in the box office area and concession area,
destroying concession stand equipment, smashing all the video game
screens and they threw paint over the entire lobby. On top of all of
this, they took the fire extinguishers and sprayed all the seats in
the auditoriums so they now all have to be professionally cleaned. The
one good thing about this vandalism is they did not seem interested in
money since none was taken. The damage was extensive and severe and
demoralizing. I am estimating the damages to come in north of $50,000.

The Maplewood Police force showed amazing efficiency by apprehending
one of the suspects within 8 hours of the crime. As of the writing of
this email, I have not been informed whether or not they have caught
the second individual. I am not permitted to release any further
information about the individuals involved so please do not ask. I
want to publicly thank the Maplewood Police force for being so
concerned about the needs of a small business owner and showing
stunning professional skill.

I am hopeful that my insurance which has been paid on-time for the
last 10 years will cover the extensive damage. As we all know how
insurance companies work, this will in and of itself be a small
miracle. I will try and keep everyone informed but please be aware
that this process is very time consuming and it will probably be many
weeks before I see any sort of financial restitution from any party.

As of the day of this email, I have lost a prime day of business
(Sunday, 4/27) and I am losing part of Monday, (4/28). I plan to
reopen in more or less full capacity by Tuesday, 4/29.

Despite being at the Plaza for 14 hours on Sunday and not having seen
nor heard from a single news reporter, we apparently made the 10:00pm
Sunday news and the 6:00am morning news on Monday. I truly, truly
appreciate everyone who has called and emailed since hearing the story
or seeing the sign we posted on our door on Sunday morning. Sunday was
absolutely one of the worst days of my entire life, both personally
and professionally. As someone who has tried very deeply to believe in
the basic goodness of humanity, a random act of vandalism of this
magnitude really shatters one’s faith in people. Everyone who has
called or emailed has done wonders for my morale.

Some of you have asked if you can help and as of right now there are
still a few things that we could use assistance on. My best advice to
you is to call the theatre rather than call me. The number is
651-770-1034. My general manager Brent is there coordinating the
efforts on site as I am needed to resume my duties at my theatre in
Woodbury for the rest of the week. Please understand that I am truly
grateful for any assistance that anyone is offering even though I may
not be there in person to offer it.

Thank you to everyone who has stood by this little theatre through
thick and thin. We will get through this! We will open back up and
continue to serve the Twin Cities movie community better than ever
before! If anything, this has further strengthened my resolve to
continue to make the Plaza the best and most affordable movie
experience in the whole state of Minnesota

Nathan Block
Plaza Maplewood Theatre

As friends of SwordLord, I just wanted you to be aware of what had happened. It's awful to think that there are still people out there that get some kind of pleasure from destroying something that has been a good thing and a source of pleasure for so many other people. (I hope the kids that did this are given a good knock upside the head for doing something so inane and immature and that something is done to set them on the path to right, or at least the path to common sense and human dignity.)

When I first heard about this my initial reaction was to want to help Nathan in anyway I could. I started considering taking up a collection to help him with the expenses of refurbishing/cleaning the theatre and restoring it to good standing after all the damage. Then after reading this e-mail I thought it might not be necessary, but non-the-less helpful to Nathan who although he has insurance is probably unsure if he will ever see repayment from the vandals themselves. I'm planning on calling Brent at the Plaza today to see what he thinks the best avenue for support would be.

If anyone has interest in taking up a collection please let me know. I've never done something like that before, but I've heard that it can be done through things like PayPal.

[Dolamite S. Biffle]

Fucking punk ass bitches. I hope the insurance helps you out. If the kids are minors I think there is some kind of law that makes the parents or guardians of the minors to pay or something along those lines.

[J-Dubya 777]

Jeeze, first break ins & now vandals at person's bread & butter business? If these are kids, they need a good beating, and their parents need to man up. If they are adults, they need to do time NOT in lieu of restitution...and a good beating....dark room & a rubber hose for both says I.....

Kudos to the local police on catching one perp. If there are others, I hope they get busted as well.
Good luck with this mess Nathan!

[rockyracoon]

So sorry to hear about this, Nathan. This crap couldn't have happened to nicer guy. Well isn't that the way these things always seem to go. Sure hope everything is covered by insurance.

[Metalmilita2000]

You let me find the fucks that did this. I have been at the theatre for about 40 hours over the past 3 days cleaning everything up and meeting with the insurance guys and such. I know who did it, I am glad they are not within an arms reach of me, I would make them wish they had never been born.

Brent

[HeathenCrusader]

Originally Posted by Metalmilita2000

You let me find the fucks that did this. I have been at the theatre for about 40 hours over the past 3 days cleaning everything up and meeting with the insurance guys and such. I know who did it, I am glad they are not within an arms reach of me, I would make them wish they had never been born.

Brent

I do not blame you. This really sucks. I wish you and Nathan all the best.

[FatesFan]

Wow, that's messed up. Sorry to hear about this Nathan and Brent.

[Stingray11214]

Jesus Christ! It is sad that we live in a society that thinks vandalism is "hip" and "cool". Whether it is graffiti or damaging someone else's property. If Brent knows who did it, then Nathan and Brent should hire the Law Firm of Hillerich and Bradsby, "The Big Stick Firm", and introduce those punks to them in a nice setting....a back alley would do.

Guaranteed those punks will never do anything REMOTELY like this again.....once the broken bones heal, of course.

[Stingray11214]

Originally Posted by Stingray11214

Jesus Christ! It is sad that we live in a society that thinks vandalism is "hip" and "cool". Whether it is graffiti or damaging someone else's property. If Brent knows who did it, then Nathan and Brent should hire the Law Firm of Hillerich and Bradsby, "The Big Stick Firm", and introduce those punks to them in a nice setting....a back alley would do.

Guaranteed those punks will never do anything REMOTELY like this again.....once the broken bones heal, of course.

In the meantime, I hope all goes well.

[Metalmilita2000]

Nah, the little 14 year old punk has been in police custody for 2 days, can't get to him yet, heh, but his friend is still at large... maybe he will come back to the theatre for seconds while I am here...