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Openings
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December 11, 2009
Columbus’s Grandview Theater reopens
COLUMBUS, OH — It took a little longer than first thought, but the 1926 Grandview Theater is open once again. Co-owner David Nedrow says that the newly decorated theater will have the air of a theater from the flapper era. Modern amenities include improved restrooms and a new concession area. Still to come are a larger screen and digital projection.
“We will be presenting a mix of independent and foreign films and classic movies, and we’ll also have a number of special events and festivals,” co-owner David Nedrow said.
Nedrow, a former manager at the Drexel North, and his wife, Jennifer Stancel, have spent months renovating the 83-year-old cinema, 1247 Grandview Ave.
Among the changes: a new concession stand, expanded restrooms and a redecorated auditorium and lobby that Nedrow describes as “Grandview Gatsby.”
Read more in the Columbus Dispatch.
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November 25, 2009
Branson Meadows Cinemas reopen
BRANSON, MO — Closed since late September, the 11-screen Branson Meadows Cinemas have re-opened, now operated by IMAX Entertainment Complex, which owns the IMAX Elite Cinema III, also in Branson.
The 11-screen multiplex has been closed since Sept. 25 when previous operator, Novacinetech, closed the doors after a decade in business at the shopping center on Gretna Road. While the IMAX Elite Cinema III kept movie buffs entertained in the months that have passed, representatives knew they were missing out on a very large market.
“Though we’ve always maintained that the Elite Cinema III offers customers the best movie-going experience in southwest Missouri, having only three movie screens for thousands of locals and millions of visitors simply wasn’t enough,” said Becky Blair, director of advertising, marketing and sales. “The loss was felt immediately by our entire community.”
Read the story in the Branson Daily News.
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November 24, 2009
New triplex opens in Nephi
NEPHI, UT — There hasn’t been an operating movie theater in this town about 75 miles south of Salt Lake City since the Venice Theater closed in 1983. The new Salt Creek Cinemas opened last month.
Ground was broken for the new theater in February of 2009. At the time, owners were worried about starting a new business in such a bad economy, especially an expensive business like a movie theater.
Steve Robison, another of the owners of Salt Creek Cinemas, said movie theaters typically do well in tough times. But he was still a little nervous.
Now, after being open for about five weeks, Robison said they’re breaking about even. He thinks “New Moon” will put them over the top for a while.
The full story can be read at KSL.
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November 23, 2009
Oklahoma City city multiplex reopens
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — Closed by Regal in 2005, the former Windsor Hills Cinemas have reopened as the Windsor 10 under B&B management which has made renovations and installed upgrades.
Formerly known as the Windsor Hills Cinemas, 4625 NW 23, the 10-screen multiplex will show first-run films and is newly equipped in select auditoriums with digital 3-D projectors, stadium seating with high back rocker seats, wall-to-wall curved screens and digital surround sound.
B&B Theatres is a family owned and operated company specializing in movie houses in medium-sized cities, according to information on its Web site, bbtheatres.com. In business since 1924, the firm operates 200 theater screens in Florida, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.
Read the story at NewsOK.
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November 19, 2009
New independent cinema to open in Stonington
STONINGTON, CT — William and Casey Cyr Gash are about to open the Mystic Independent Theater. They hope to feature films that did not make the cut at various film festivals as well as live events.
The intimate 46-seat theater, which had been home to the now-defunct Stonington Film Society, has been renovated and will not only show independent films but host music and drama presentations, family celebrations, birthday parties, business meetings and other events.
It is all part of the couple’s diversified plan to ensure the economic success of the theater, which features tiered seats, a raised stage, adjustable lighting and top-quality video and sound systems.
Read more in the California Chronicle.
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November 18, 2009
New Chattanooga multiplex emphasizes eco-friendliness
CHATTANOOGA, TN — The new Carmike Majestic 12 near this city’s revitalized riverfront, boasts the amenties characteristic of a number new theaters – enhanced food selection, a VP viewing room, and plush seating. In addition, the theater used recycled materials in its construction, and uses electricity from solar panels, and collected rainwater in its plumbing and in landscaping maintenance. This theater is a replacement for the Carmike’s Bijou Cinema 7 which has closed.
Carmike Cinemas Inc. and the RiverCity Co. went beyond creature comforts and high-tech gadgetry to build and open a theater that they claim is an environmental first. The Columbus, Ga.-based theater company’s Majestic 12 opened last weekend, just a short walk from Chattanooga’s redeveloped riverfront and the Bijou 7 it is replacing.
U.S. Green Building Council spokeswoman Ashley Katz said Carmike has applied for LEED certification for the 70,000-square-foot building.
Read more in this item from the Associated Press.
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November 16, 2009
Glenwood Mall 3 Theater will re-open
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO — About 18 months ago, Carmike closed its triplex at the Glenwood Mall and ever since, the center’s management has been looking for a new operator. Although some interest was expressed, possible takers wanted to expand the theater’s number of screens which would take time; the mall’s managers wanted the theater open for the holiday shopping season. They have decided to run it themselves calling it now the Movies at the Mall.
Like Hollywood movie heroes, owners of the Glenwood Springs Mall are bucking the national chains this time and running the theater themselves. If they remodel it, owners figure, they will come.
“It was an effort, and it will be an effort that really pays off,” said mall general manager Sonia Davis, who headed up the effort to reopen the theater.
Read the whole story in the Aspen Daily.
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November 13, 2009
Cinebarre opens in Salem
SALEM, OR — The former Regal Movieland 7 has been reborn as the Cinebarre. In addition to cocktail service and expanded menu offerings, the theater has a rentable VIP viewing space.
Nearly 400 people attended the theater’s grand opening event Thursday night, Karol said.
The theater is the former Regal Cinemas' Movieland 7. Cinebarre offers first-run movies and caters to adults — minors younger than 18 will be seated in the theater only if accompanied by a parent or guardian. Children younger than 6 are only allowed into the theater on its designated “scream day,” which is the first showing every Tuesday.
Read more in the Statesman Journal.
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New theater opening in Pittsfield
PITTSFIELD, MA — The new Beacon Cinema opening on November 20 combines elements of the old and new. Housed within the 91-year-old Kinnell-Kresge building, designers have restored original ceilings and woodwork. The six-screen theater itself is technologically up-to-date with stadium seating and automated digital projection. The theater will serve beer and wine, in addition to typical movie concession fare.
The Eagle got a sneak peak of the state-of-the-art movie theater on Friday afternoon, however, and from the building’s original tin ceilings and woodwork to its state-of-the-art Dolby digital sound system, the public is in for an architectural and theatrical experience that’s sure to stimulate the senses.
The behind-the-scenes look included a tour of the six-screen, 850-seat cinema, which evokes memories of an old neighborhood picture house — albeit with modern upgrades such as stadium seating, which is designed give moviegoers a comfortable viewing experience, and a bar serving wine and beer.
Read more in the Berkshire Eagle.
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November 9, 2009
Iconic Chapel Hill Landmark Theatre To Reopen
CHAPEL HILL, NC — After closing this past summer, the Varsity Theatre, a historic landmark in Downtown Chapel Hill on East Franklin Street for more than 80 years is scheduled to reopen on November 9, 2009 under new management. The theatre, which in the past showcased foreign and independent films will present mainstream films as well as classic films at reduced prices.
Today, new owners will announce their plans for renovation, which include an upgraded lobby and concession area and a children’s birthday party room.
The owners declined requests for an interview until their announcement.
Former owner Bruce Stone, who operated the Varsity for nine years, said lowering prices didn’t work for him, and he doesn’t know how $3 movie tickets will work to sustain the new Varsity.
Read more of this article in the Daily Tarheel.
UPDATE: Now slated for November 29th reopening.