Emotions sometimes cloud our judgment, especially when it comes to our children, leading to irrational and exaggerated responses. It is just human nature.

That clearly seems to be the case with the flawed community response to Wonderland Theater’s decision to sell beer and alcohol, a move the owners — and this board — see as a viable way to keep up with the times and continue to be one of the most affordable theaters in the area.

Although some moviegoers expressed their excitement, many people lashed out on social media about this business decision and threatened a boycott.

Ironically, most of those commenters seem to be missing the big picture.

The outcry that limited alcohol sales destroys this family atmosphere simply doesn’t hold up when scrutinized through the prism of objectivity and common sense. Many family friendly places include the sale of alcohol: bowling alleys, sporting events, local festivals, beaches, performance shows, and popular kids’ restaurants.

The old adage of “all things in moderation” seems to have been forgotten by those so opposed.

The theater owners have modeled this approach after hundreds of other establishments across the country that have been successful.

They also plan to ensure that a two-drink limit is enforced. Without question, that is a vital component on which our acceptance and that of the community’s hinges on.

Of course there will always be someone who tries to break the rules and exceed the limits, but those are the individuals who are already taking alcohol into the movie theater anyway or coming intoxicated.

We should not make rules based on society’s lowest common denominator. Call us optimists, but we believe most adults will behave responsibly.

It is very likely other communities and businesses in Michiana will soon be faced with similar decisions to stay progressive. We hope common sense will trump fear of change.

The bottom line is the movie theater industry is facing challenges from all sides and has to look for creative ways to stay competitive. If this decision, when coupled with strict enforcement of the rules, allows the Niles area to keep its hometown theater affordable and going strong, then we are willing to give the owners — and human nature — the benefit of the doubt until we see legitimate evidence this poses to harm the community.

 

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Ambrosia Neldon, Craig Haupert, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.