Daily Briefing, Nov. 27
“Star Wars” fans will encounter more than the usual concession-stand popcorn and Raisinets.
Theater chains, seeking to capture a bigger share of “The Force Awakens” bonanza, are creating pop-up stores to sell posters and key chains — and pouring “Yoda-rita” cocktails.
The Force Awakens, which opens Dec. 18, is forecast by BoxOffice.com to be the top-grossing movie of all time, but exhibitors have to pay a higher share of ticket revenue than usual to distributor Walt Disney Co., putting extra financial pressure on the theater chains.
Hammacher Schlemmer is offering a $70 toaster that “uses custom heating inserts crafted from a submitted headshot photograph” to put your face on pieces of toast.
Lava Mae, a San Francisco nonprofit that helps the homeless, was one of two $100,000 winners recently as Bank of the West presented its sixth annual Philanthropy Awards.