CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — Saturday was a busy movie night at the Cedar Lee Theatre, but its biggest star was missing.
“This is just devastating,” Opal Griffin said.
Griffin has worked at the theater for more than two decades. Over the years, she said she got used to seeing her friend, Arjeye Lacey
“It's really hard to come in here and not see him,” Griffin said. “At one point I thought 'God am I going to have to quit my job?' because I can’t come in here,” she said.
Lacey worked at the theater for nearly 20 years as a floor staff employee. Everyone called him “The Mayor of Lee Road." Chances are if you have been to the theater you would recognize his face, and maybe his name.
A flower bouquet now sits behind the concession stand where Lacey spent most of his time at Cedar Lee Theatre.
“It's hard to look at that concession stand because it's Arejey's concession stand,” Griffin said.
Assistant Manager James Johnston said Lacey’s impact stretched far beyond the theater.
“His shoes are too big to fill,” Johnston said. “There's a lot that he did that will truly and surely be missed.”
To honor his life and help his family with funeral expenses, Cedar Lee Theatre is hosting a benefit screening of one of his favorite films, “Moonrise Kingdom” on Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. For ticket info, click here.
