New cinema owners balance movies, life

By Jill Brackett

(Updated: Thursday, August 07, 2008, 6:56 PM)

Ray and Irma Martinez take over the Met Cinema from Rusty and Sara Murphy

Buyer and seller agree, the sale of the local Met Cinema couldn't have been more amiable.

The theater, started by Rusty and Sara Murphy, has been in operation for more than 22 years with Rusty's telephone reviews an iconic part of the community.

Ray and Irma Martinez of Fresno said they had wanted to move into the Oakhurst area and were shopping for residential real estate when they happened upon the sale of the theater.

"We've always been inclined to buy a business, although a home was our first priority" Irma said. "Before, we had looked into franchise businesses mainly, but nothing really sparked our interest until now."

So, buying a home went on the back burner, and it was into business the couple went. "It's all been very exciting and positive, Irma said. "We are thankful to the Murphy's for passing the torch and making it such and easy transaction. We love them to death."

At the theater, the two couples chatted like long-time friends, sharing updates on their children, the Murphys offering tidbits of business advice.

"After our first meeting, I told Sara, 'they're the ones,'" said Rusty, who had planned to pull the sale listing until the Martinez's called. "Then this couple showed up and Ray gave me a bear hug and that was it. Anyone who hugs is alright with me.

"It was important to us to keep the theater the same for the community. It's got to be a family business."

And the Martinez's understand family. They have seven children, Jessikah, 22 years-old, Jesse, 11, Hailey, 8, Aaron, 7, Daisy 5, Hercules, 2 and London, 2.

Although it was the energy of Ray and Irma that sold the Murphys, the transition hasn't come in good timing for the new owners. Two of the Martinez children, Aaron and Daisy have been struggling with health problems. Aaron, suffering from Short Gut Syndrom has been hospitalized at the UCLA Medical Center to undergo a small bowel, liver and pancreas transplant. Daisy has Downs Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy.

"It has been all emotions," said Ray of the transition.

Rusty and Sara were quick to offer reassurance, "I remember when we started too," said Rusty. Sara added, "All terror."

Taking the transition in stride, Ray gives credit to his wife. "Irma is smooth," he said. "I still have a learning curve."

The couple said they hope to keep the charm the Murphys brought to the theater, including the personal, recorded movie reviews over the phone, refillable popcorn containers, and they have kept the entire staff.

"The Murphys did such a great job as bosses and at hiring trustworthy employees that we were able to keep them all," Irma said. "They have made it so easy for us to step in."

The couple does hope to put their own mark on the theater, however.

Adding community incentives is first on the list. Irma hopes to partner with local school to encourage straight-A students or reading programs. Ray, a full-time firefighter for Cal Fire, let all firefighters on duty for recent area fires come in for free on their time off.

A face-lift is also in the works. "Eventually," Irma stressed. "We need to get our feet wet in this business."

"It will happen slowly, but surely," she said.

For the retired Murphys, it's off to Canada for a vacation. The first he couple has taken during summertime in 22 years.