The ELCO was not on High Street. It was on Western Branch Blvd. just across the street south of the location pinned on the map above. It was on the same block as The Chinese Maid restaurant.
The takeover was indeed seamless. It took several weeks to work out all the contractual issues. We retained the same film booking agent and signed contracts with the major studios in advance. The sale to us was closed and the lease transfer was signed all on Thursday afternoon, May 11, 2000. The couple closed up after the last shows that night and then turned over the keys to the building. We opened up for the first shows the next afternoon.
It was likely my business partner, Don, who recorded that final telephone message. Also, I’m sure we referred you to the Marietta Star Cinema on Roswell Road, ½ mile east of the Big Chicken, where we were still operating as a discount house.
Actually, the business was acquired from the “younger couple” in May, 2000, by G&S Entertainment, LLC. They are the ones who then acquired the Marietta Star Cinema from George Lefont. Having done that, they changed the name of the above theatre to Blackwell Star Cinema.
AlanATL
PS: I know this because I’m the “G” in “G&S”. When we bought the Blackwell, I was told that it had been the first twin theatre in the Atlanta metro area.
The ELCO was not on High Street. It was on Western Branch Blvd. just across the street south of the location pinned on the map above. It was on the same block as The Chinese Maid restaurant.
The takeover was indeed seamless. It took several weeks to work out all the contractual issues. We retained the same film booking agent and signed contracts with the major studios in advance. The sale to us was closed and the lease transfer was signed all on Thursday afternoon, May 11, 2000. The couple closed up after the last shows that night and then turned over the keys to the building. We opened up for the first shows the next afternoon.
It was likely my business partner, Don, who recorded that final telephone message. Also, I’m sure we referred you to the Marietta Star Cinema on Roswell Road, ½ mile east of the Big Chicken, where we were still operating as a discount house.
Actually, the business was acquired from the “younger couple” in May, 2000, by G&S Entertainment, LLC. They are the ones who then acquired the Marietta Star Cinema from George Lefont. Having done that, they changed the name of the above theatre to Blackwell Star Cinema.
AlanATL
PS: I know this because I’m the “G” in “G&S”. When we bought the Blackwell, I was told that it had been the first twin theatre in the Atlanta metro area.