Have a news tip for us?
Just email . Ideas for stories, links to interesting articles, and press releases are welcome.
Carmike to operate Ocala’s Marion Theatre
posted by
CSWalczak
on
April 1, 2010 at 7:45 am
OCALA, FL — Carmike Theaters has signed a lease agreement with the City of Ocala to operate the Marion Theater once again as first run cinema. Opened in 1941, the theater first closed as a movie house in 1971, and was used, after several years, as a science center. It then returned to service as a cinema, but regular film showings ended in January, 2008. The re-opening date is provisionally set for May 21.
Not since January 2008 has the 326-seat theater, once leased by former Taylor, Bean & Whitaker chairman Lee Farkas, screened a film, though it has sporadically hosted smaller events like comedy shows.
A grand opening date has been tentatively set for May 21. The first title to be shown could be the family-friendly flick “Shrek Forever After,” according to David Pflegl, Digital Services Manager for Carmike.
Read the full story at Ocala.com.
Comments (2)
Is this an April Fools item? If not Carmike might be interested in the assets of Kerastoes that I can’t see AMC having any interest in (midwest small town twin theaters).
I think it may be significant that the lease is only for one year, which suggests to me that it is more less a trial operation. Still, as the article indicates, they are installing digital equipment and planning to twin the theater which implies a willingness to make some investment. Perhaps of note too, is the fact that the lease is with Carmke’s subsidiary, Eastwynn; it might be that Carmike is now using this branch to manage smaller operations.