Mayfair Theatre

What Mayfair Theatre does

Mayfair Theatre is a privately-held, single-screen independent cinema operating at 1074 Bank Street in Old Ottawa South, Ottawa, Canada. Founded in 1932 and declared an official heritage building by the City of Ottawa in 2008, it is one of Canada's oldest surviving independent movie houses and has never been owned by or affiliated with a major cinema chain. The 325-seat auditorium features Spanish-style atmospheric architecture (faux-balconies, clay-tile canopies, medieval wrought-iron lamps, and Ottawa's last remaining auditorium clock) preserved largely untouched for over 90 years, paired with dual-format projection: 35mm film with DTS and Dolby Digital sound alongside DCP, DVD, Blu-ray, and digital file projection.

The theatre's product offering centers on a weekly programmed schedule (Friday through Thursday) of classic films, Ottawa premieres, cult programming, and themed festivals such as "Out of the Vault: Disney Summer Film Festival" and themed months like Joan Crawford Month, plus the members-only Saturday Night Sinema midnight series. Revenue is generated across six streams: individual ticket sales ($13 standard, $8.50 member, $9.50 senior, $7.50 child), concessions (popcorn with real butter, candy, beverages), a $16 annual membership, private event rentals accommodating up to 335 guests for weddings, corporate functions, premieres, and live performances, advertising (pre-show slides, video, newsletter, podcast, marquee at $175–$450+HST per four-week placement), and merchandise (t-shirts, posters, nameplate sponsorships).

Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the on-site box office (doors open 30 minutes before showtime) and advance online ticketing through Events.com up to one hour before showtime. The theatre is supported by an active marketing apparatus including a weekly ~7,000-subscriber email newsletter, a podcast distributed across SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music (sponsored by House of TARG), Facebook/Twitter/Instagram social channels, and a printable weekly flyer. Ownership rests with Paul Gordon, who acquired the venue in November 2008 and reopened it on January 2, 2009 following renovation; day-to-day programming and rental inquiries are handled by Lee Demarbre, and advertising by Josh Stafford. The operating geography is Ottawa, Ontario, with no disclosed expansion plans, funding rounds, or parent-company affiliations.

Name

Mayfair Theatre

Legal name

Mayfair Theatre

Website

https://mayfairtheatre.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1932

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mayfair Theatre is a privately-held, single-screen heritage cinema in Ottawa, Canada, operating since 1932. It serves local film enthusiasts and private event clients with classic and cult film programming, dual 35mm/digital projection, and a 325-seat heritage auditorium.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Cinema & Venue Services

NAICS

Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins) (512131), Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro primary industry

Independent & Art-house Cinemas (MPADAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Screenings & Venue Rentals (Corporate, Parties) (MPADAKAJ), Special Event Screenings & Pop-up Cinemas (MPADAKAE), VIP Hospitality & Client Entertainment (Boxes, Suites, Hosted Experiences) (MPAGAHAG)

Keywords

• Independent movie theater
• Film screenings
• Event venue rental
• Classic cinema
• Heritage cinema

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Individual admission tickets for movie screenings sold at standard rates for members, non-members, seniors, and children. Special event screenings may have different pricing.
2. Concessions: Fully stocked candy and refreshment bar offering popcorn (with real butter), candy, and beverages. Take-out popcorn available for customers not attending screenings.
3. Annual Memberships: $16 annual membership providing discounted admission ($8.50 instead of $13.00). Membership pays for itself after three additional visits.
4. Private Event Rentals: Theatre available for rent for weddings, film premieres, private screenings, live theatre, stand-up comedy, live music, book launches, speaking engagements, corporate functions, video games, and other events. Pricing varies by day and time.
5. Advertising: Pre-show slideshow ads, big screen video ads before films, newsletter ads in weekly ~7,000 subscriber newsletter, podcast ads, and marquee rentals. Four-week placements: $225+HST for slideshow/newsletter, $450+HST for video or podcast.
6. Merchandise Sales: Sale of Mayfair marquee t-shirts ($30), movie posters ($10-$20), festival posters and lobby cards ($20), nameplate sponsorships ($150-$250+HST).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mayfair Theatre is a single-screen independent heritage cinema in Ottawa that screens classic films, Ottawa premieres, and cult programming on both 35mm and digital projection. The venue also offers private event rentals for corporate functions, weddings, and live performances, supported by concessions, an annual membership program, and merchandise sales.

Product overview

Mayfair Theatre is a single-screen heritage cinema in Ottawa, Canada, operating as a traditional movie theater with a rotating schedule of film screenings and special programming. The core offering consists of daily movie screenings featuring classic films, Ottawa premieres, and themed film festivals. Supporting services include private event rentals for up to 335 guests, a weekly podcast, merchandise sales, and advertising opportunities. The theatre operates a membership program and sells concessions. The venue's programming includes special events such as Saturday Night Sinema (secret midnight movies for members only), the Out of the Vault Disney Summer Film Festival, and Star Trek anniversary celebrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Movie Screenings Rotating single-screen cinema programming featuring classic films, Ottawa premieres, cult classics, themed months (e.g., Joan Crawford Month, Disney Summer Film Festival), and 35mm presentations with DTS and Dolby Digital sound. Targeted at Ottawa film enthusiasts and the local community.
• Private Event Rentals

Quantifiable outcome

• Weekly newsletter reaches approximately 7,000 subscribers
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• House of TARGminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHouse of TARG sponsors the Mayfair Theatre podcast. Their logo appears on the podcast section of the website, indicating a marketing partnership for cross-promotion.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ByTowne Cinema: Single-screen independent repertory/art-house cinema in Ottawa, operating since 1947. Most directly comparable peer — same city, same single-screen independent model, similar focus on art-house, classic, and specialty programming for the Ottawa film community.
• The Cinematheque (Vancouver): Vancouver nonprofit cinematheque operating a single-screen cinema with curated repertory, classic, and independent film programming. Comparable as a Canadian single-screen venue focused on curated/cult/classic cinema rather than mainstream multiplex fare.
• Carlton Cinema: Independent single-screen cinema in Toronto operating since 1981. Closely comparable business model — independent ownership, single-screen heritage venue, curated art-house and cult programming, and similar concessions/event-rental revenue mix.
• Revue Cinema: Toronto-based independent single-screen repertory cinema focused on art-house and independent films. Comparable as an independent single-screen programmer serving a major Canadian city's film enthusiast community with curated, non-chain programming.

Broad incumbents

• TIFF Bell Lightbox: Toronto-based multi-screen cultural cinema complex operated by the Toronto International Film Festival. Comparable on independent/curated programming and event hosting, but operates at much larger scale with multiple screens, year-round festival programming, and institutional backing.
• Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema: Toronto-based documentary-focused cinema operating multiple screens under the Hot Docs festival brand. Comparable in curating niche/specialty film programming and hosting community events, but operates as part of a larger festival organization with more screens and institutional support.
• Landmark Cinemas: Canadian cinema chain operating multi-screen theaters across smaller and mid-sized Canadian markets. Comparable as a Canadian cinema operator, but contrasts with Mayfair as a chain operator with mainstream focus versus independent single-screen curated programming.
• Rainbow Cinemas: Canadian independent cinema chain with locations in smaller markets. Comparable as a Canadian independent cinema operator, but operates standard multiplex venues focused on mainstream releases rather than Mayfair's heritage single-screen model.
• Cinémas Guzzo: Largest independent cinema chain in Quebec/Ontario operating multiple multi-screen venues. Comparable as an independent (non-major-studio-owned) Canadian cinema operator, but operates multiplex venues with mainstream programming rather than single-screen heritage curated cinema.
• Imagine Cinemas: Canadian boutique cinema chain operating smaller multi-screen venues in heritage and community settings. Comparable positioning as a smaller-format cinema operator with curated programming sensibilities, though operates multiple locations versus Mayfair's single site.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mayfairtheatre
• Facebookfacebook.com/groups/mayfairtheatre
• Instagraminstagram.com/mayfairtheatre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mayfair-theatre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mayfair Theatre