They handed out 16" rulers as a novelty promtional item for the theatre’s grand opening.
This theatre used to be extremely busy, but also tended to attract it’s fair share of less than desirable patrons. At management training seminars, the Pine Square managers always seemed to have the worst customer incident stories.
I believe the theatre may have closed once again. The Star Performing Arts Center’s website no longer exists and the listed phone number has been disconnected. Additionally, there appears to have been no events at the venue for nearly a year.
If AMC markets this concept properly, which I’m sure they will, it will likely be very successful. Avoiding the IMAX moniker not only saves AMC licensing fees annd misc. expenses, but also exracts the issue of people comparing the experience to “classic IMAX” (i.e. you won’t be hearing complaints that it’s not what they are used to seeing with the brand).
In time, I doubt that most movie goers will even note the differences or shortcommings of these streamlined/“IMAX lite” auditoriums. As this scaled down offering becomes the new standard, people will forget about what IMAX used to mean/be. It’s amazing how short the public’s collective memory can be.
Healthy alternatives have been tried numerous times, by most chains, and it has always been a failure. About the only moderately successful program I’ve seen has been offering a juice box and/or raisins option for the kids pack. Everyone says they want a healthy option, but when you actually provide things like air popped corn, trailmix, milk, etc., nobody buys it. Theatre chains are focused on making a profit and, if they could make any money selling “healthier concessions”, they would.
It doesn’t really say anything about the other theatres they manage; just that these two sites had owners that wanted to do somethig else with the properties. They likely have a few other sites that could see the same thing happen down the road, but they also operate quite a few that are relatively locked in to remaining as cinemas. Plus, they’ve been picking up additional locations at a pretty steady pace (they are about to reopen the Franciscan Plaza, in San Juan Capistrano). This sort of loss and gain is just a part of doing business; especially when operating older cinema properties.
The rendering linked previously is from a Canadian architectural design firm (Sceno Plus) that specializes in entertainment venues. They were commissioned to develop a remodel concept for the “VIP balcony”. It’s an architectual rendering (i.e. design concept) and not intended to be an exact or detailed depiction of the theatre.
The re opening has been pushed back to March. The theatre will now be a four screen and feature a bar. The venue has converted to stadium seating, so the seating has likely been cut dramatically.
An acquaintance of mine managed an adult theatre in the late 70’s. One of the many interesting observations he shared concerned the condition of his former theatre. He noted that there was rarely an issue with adult era patrons damaging the facility or even causing a notable degree of wear. Most of his venue’s wear and tear was pre existing, from the theatre’s previous life as a traditional cinema, and remained/grew worse as a result of the owner’s lack of interest in spending money on maintenance. He even felt that the “porno crowd” were some of the best behaved he encountered over his career, as the majority were focused on remaining anonymous and passing through with the least degree of fuss. I once asked him if he ever received a customer complaint; he responded, “What was there to complain about? The film wasn’t arousing enough?”
Apparently, the Brea 5 will survive the mall’s remodel. Tristone Cinema Group (the same party that took on Anaheim’s Brookhurst and operates two other discount theatres) will reopen the Brea 5 sometime this year.
Ugh, it pains me to read some of these responses. Movie Theatres are a for profit business, the profit comes almost entirely from concession sales. Yes, food costs more at the concession stand, but that markup goes to cover rent, facility upkeep, salaries, advertising, etc.; while hopfully keeping enough to pull in a profit. Additionally, they must take advantage of very short sales windows (i.e. they don’t have day long opportunities, only the brief time before each set of shows starts). Theatre owners, even the big chains, aren’t out to rip anyone off, nor are they particularly greedy across the board. They are simply businesses trying to work within a very tight profit margin. If you take a look at most theatres' finances, you’ll find that they aren’t rolling in huge profits (especially in comparison to other industries).
The Fall of 09' will see the theatre utilized as a temporary horror attraction once again. However, this appears to be the venue’s “last hurrah”, as the property is advertising a major redevelopment for the overall complex; the architectural rendering appears to depict a new in-line “big box” center that would replace all of the existing structures.
To supplement my earlier profile; Mann opened the Brea Plaza, as a four screen, on 4/1/77.
I would be surprised if a “name” chain buys the theatre. Hefty purcase price, fourteen year operating limit (unless the landlord agrees to what would likely be a very expensive extension), difficult to book competitively, challenging to operate, etc.; the Chinese just doesn’t fit with the modern business model most chains follow. I would imagine a private entrepreneur(s) or party working in a joint venture with CIM would be more likely candidates.
The original grand opening was held on the weekend of 8/17/84. Among the opening giveaway items and prizes was a raffle for a 14' Hobie Cat sailboat. The theatre’s opening films were: Tightrope, Cloak & Dagger, Sam’s Son, Sheena, Karate Kid, Woman in Red, and a midnight showing of Woodstock.
Here is how I understand the history of Laguna Beach theatres:
The first Lynn Theatre operated for several years at 255 Forest Ave (now a Boardriders Club clothing outlet) and closed in the early 1920’s. In 1922, a second Lynn Theatre (still billed as the Lynn) opened on the current theatre’s 162 South Coast Highway site. This theatre was heavily damaged by flooding, rebuilt, and reopened in 1935, as the New Lynn. At some point, likely during the New Lynn’s construction, another Lynn theatre was opened at 250 Ocean Ave (billed as the Ocean Ave. Lynn). When the two theatre’s were sold to the Vincent family, circa 1936, the New Lynn became the South Coast Cinemas and the Ocean Ave. Lynn became the Laguna Theatre. All of these Lynn theatres were named after a member of the original operator’s family Lynn Aufdenkamp.
United Artists Communications maintained the master lease on the theatre throughout the Mitchell Brothers occupancy; subletting to the Mitchells for fifteen years and ultimately declining to renew with them, in 1990.
The theatre closed on June 30, 1990, with “The First Time,” “Hot Lips” and “The Devil in Miss Jones IV.”
The City of Santa Ana’s efforts to close this theatre, via legal means, were such that, for 11 years, a former LAPD vice officer was paid $30 an hour to attended every movie shown at the theater; watching the films, audiotaping dialogue, and taking notes, so a judge could review the films for the 47 obscenity cases filed during that period.
In 1987, after Santa Ana finally gave up on trying to close the theatre, the city paid the Mitchell Brothers $120,000 to remove the theatre’s marquee.
The El Toro opened on 11/23/84. The theatre was standard 80’s era Edwards in design; “open back” box office/cash control area, two story lobby, second floor restrooms, smallish concession stand, undersized support areas, etc.
General Cinema opened this theatre on 7/12/74, as the Saddleback 1-2-3. Edwards added the site to their chain in the late 70’s and opened the second triplex on 2/8/80. Located in El Toro for most of it’s run as a cinema (El Toro became Lake Forest in 1991), the theatre was joined by both the Edwards El Toro 5 and Edwards/Sanborn Laguna Hills Mall 3 in the 1980’s; resulting in three Edwards sites being located roughly a mile away from one another and a, then surprising, fourteen screens serving the area.
In early March of 2001, a mall water line broke, forcing the theatre to close for repairs. After about a week of being advertised as “reopening soon”, Edwards announced that they were shuttering the venue for good (the water damage had allowed the troubled chain to utilize an escape clause in their lease).
Even if this event had not taken place, I don’t imagine the theatre would have lasted much longer. By the time it closed, the theatre was in sad shape and devoid of customers. Typical of many older sites Edwards was operating at the time, the chain had completely neglected the theatre for years; they basically gave up on the Westminster Mall after opening the nearbye Westminster 10, in 92'.
Regency Theatres has officially signed on to reopen the Franciscan Plaza. The opening is slated for November 2009. Along with an extensive remodel, partially funded by a $450,000 loan from the city, a bar/lounge will be added to the second floor.
They handed out 16" rulers as a novelty promtional item for the theatre’s grand opening.
This theatre used to be extremely busy, but also tended to attract it’s fair share of less than desirable patrons. At management training seminars, the Pine Square managers always seemed to have the worst customer incident stories.
I believe the theatre may have closed once again. The Star Performing Arts Center’s website no longer exists and the listed phone number has been disconnected. Additionally, there appears to have been no events at the venue for nearly a year.
I wonder if this is permanent or if they utilized a temporary setup (as some theatres do for special screenings/events)?
If AMC markets this concept properly, which I’m sure they will, it will likely be very successful. Avoiding the IMAX moniker not only saves AMC licensing fees annd misc. expenses, but also exracts the issue of people comparing the experience to “classic IMAX” (i.e. you won’t be hearing complaints that it’s not what they are used to seeing with the brand).
In time, I doubt that most movie goers will even note the differences or shortcommings of these streamlined/“IMAX lite” auditoriums. As this scaled down offering becomes the new standard, people will forget about what IMAX used to mean/be. It’s amazing how short the public’s collective memory can be.
Healthy alternatives have been tried numerous times, by most chains, and it has always been a failure. About the only moderately successful program I’ve seen has been offering a juice box and/or raisins option for the kids pack. Everyone says they want a healthy option, but when you actually provide things like air popped corn, trailmix, milk, etc., nobody buys it. Theatre chains are focused on making a profit and, if they could make any money selling “healthier concessions”, they would.
It doesn’t really say anything about the other theatres they manage; just that these two sites had owners that wanted to do somethig else with the properties. They likely have a few other sites that could see the same thing happen down the road, but they also operate quite a few that are relatively locked in to remaining as cinemas. Plus, they’ve been picking up additional locations at a pretty steady pace (they are about to reopen the Franciscan Plaza, in San Juan Capistrano). This sort of loss and gain is just a part of doing business; especially when operating older cinema properties.
I should add that the rendering comes from the last remodel and is not some future project.
The rendering linked previously is from a Canadian architectural design firm (Sceno Plus) that specializes in entertainment venues. They were commissioned to develop a remodel concept for the “VIP balcony”. It’s an architectual rendering (i.e. design concept) and not intended to be an exact or detailed depiction of the theatre.
Stockyard Movies 8 was closed on 2/26/10. The theatre will be razed and the lot utilized for commercial truck parking.
The re opening has been pushed back to March. The theatre will now be a four screen and feature a bar. The venue has converted to stadium seating, so the seating has likely been cut dramatically.
An acquaintance of mine managed an adult theatre in the late 70’s. One of the many interesting observations he shared concerned the condition of his former theatre. He noted that there was rarely an issue with adult era patrons damaging the facility or even causing a notable degree of wear. Most of his venue’s wear and tear was pre existing, from the theatre’s previous life as a traditional cinema, and remained/grew worse as a result of the owner’s lack of interest in spending money on maintenance. He even felt that the “porno crowd” were some of the best behaved he encountered over his career, as the majority were focused on remaining anonymous and passing through with the least degree of fuss. I once asked him if he ever received a customer complaint; he responded, “What was there to complain about? The film wasn’t arousing enough?”
Apparently, the Brea 5 will survive the mall’s remodel. Tristone Cinema Group (the same party that took on Anaheim’s Brookhurst and operates two other discount theatres) will reopen the Brea 5 sometime this year.
Ugh, it pains me to read some of these responses. Movie Theatres are a for profit business, the profit comes almost entirely from concession sales. Yes, food costs more at the concession stand, but that markup goes to cover rent, facility upkeep, salaries, advertising, etc.; while hopfully keeping enough to pull in a profit. Additionally, they must take advantage of very short sales windows (i.e. they don’t have day long opportunities, only the brief time before each set of shows starts). Theatre owners, even the big chains, aren’t out to rip anyone off, nor are they particularly greedy across the board. They are simply businesses trying to work within a very tight profit margin. If you take a look at most theatres' finances, you’ll find that they aren’t rolling in huge profits (especially in comparison to other industries).
The Fall of 09' will see the theatre utilized as a temporary horror attraction once again. However, this appears to be the venue’s “last hurrah”, as the property is advertising a major redevelopment for the overall complex; the architectural rendering appears to depict a new in-line “big box” center that would replace all of the existing structures.
To supplement my earlier profile; Mann opened the Brea Plaza, as a four screen, on 4/1/77.
I would be surprised if a “name” chain buys the theatre. Hefty purcase price, fourteen year operating limit (unless the landlord agrees to what would likely be a very expensive extension), difficult to book competitively, challenging to operate, etc.; the Chinese just doesn’t fit with the modern business model most chains follow. I would imagine a private entrepreneur(s) or party working in a joint venture with CIM would be more likely candidates.
The original grand opening was held on the weekend of 8/17/84. Among the opening giveaway items and prizes was a raffle for a 14' Hobie Cat sailboat. The theatre’s opening films were: Tightrope, Cloak & Dagger, Sam’s Son, Sheena, Karate Kid, Woman in Red, and a midnight showing of Woodstock.
Per newspaper listings: The Paulo opened on 7/8/49, with a double bill of “Streets of Laredo” and “City Across the River”.
Here is how I understand the history of Laguna Beach theatres:
The first Lynn Theatre operated for several years at 255 Forest Ave (now a Boardriders Club clothing outlet) and closed in the early 1920’s. In 1922, a second Lynn Theatre (still billed as the Lynn) opened on the current theatre’s 162 South Coast Highway site. This theatre was heavily damaged by flooding, rebuilt, and reopened in 1935, as the New Lynn. At some point, likely during the New Lynn’s construction, another Lynn theatre was opened at 250 Ocean Ave (billed as the Ocean Ave. Lynn). When the two theatre’s were sold to the Vincent family, circa 1936, the New Lynn became the South Coast Cinemas and the Ocean Ave. Lynn became the Laguna Theatre. All of these Lynn theatres were named after a member of the original operator’s family Lynn Aufdenkamp.
United Artists Communications maintained the master lease on the theatre throughout the Mitchell Brothers occupancy; subletting to the Mitchells for fifteen years and ultimately declining to renew with them, in 1990.
The theatre closed on June 30, 1990, with “The First Time,” “Hot Lips” and “The Devil in Miss Jones IV.”
The City of Santa Ana’s efforts to close this theatre, via legal means, were such that, for 11 years, a former LAPD vice officer was paid $30 an hour to attended every movie shown at the theater; watching the films, audiotaping dialogue, and taking notes, so a judge could review the films for the 47 obscenity cases filed during that period.
In 1987, after Santa Ana finally gave up on trying to close the theatre, the city paid the Mitchell Brothers $120,000 to remove the theatre’s marquee.
The Brookhurst is scheduled to reopen as “Brookhurst 4 Discount Cinemas” on July 3, 2009.
The El Toro opened on 11/23/84. The theatre was standard 80’s era Edwards in design; “open back” box office/cash control area, two story lobby, second floor restrooms, smallish concession stand, undersized support areas, etc.
General Cinema opened this theatre on 7/12/74, as the Saddleback 1-2-3. Edwards added the site to their chain in the late 70’s and opened the second triplex on 2/8/80. Located in El Toro for most of it’s run as a cinema (El Toro became Lake Forest in 1991), the theatre was joined by both the Edwards El Toro 5 and Edwards/Sanborn Laguna Hills Mall 3 in the 1980’s; resulting in three Edwards sites being located roughly a mile away from one another and a, then surprising, fourteen screens serving the area.
In early March of 2001, a mall water line broke, forcing the theatre to close for repairs. After about a week of being advertised as “reopening soon”, Edwards announced that they were shuttering the venue for good (the water damage had allowed the troubled chain to utilize an escape clause in their lease).
Even if this event had not taken place, I don’t imagine the theatre would have lasted much longer. By the time it closed, the theatre was in sad shape and devoid of customers. Typical of many older sites Edwards was operating at the time, the chain had completely neglected the theatre for years; they basically gave up on the Westminster Mall after opening the nearbye Westminster 10, in 92'.
Regency Theatres has officially signed on to reopen the Franciscan Plaza. The opening is slated for November 2009. Along with an extensive remodel, partially funded by a $450,000 loan from the city, a bar/lounge will be added to the second floor.