West Ridge 8 Theaters
1727 SW Wanamaker Road,
Topeka,
KS
66604
1727 SW Wanamaker Road,
Topeka,
KS
66604
1 person
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Regal Entertainment Group (Official)
Additional Info
Operated by: Regal Entertainment Group
Previously operated by: Crown Cinema Corporation, Wallace Theaters
Functions: Movies (Second Run)
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
785.272.8580
Nearby Theaters
This eight plex was built in 1993, opening July 9, 1993 with 2,000-seats. It was added outside of the mall. This theater was very elaborate, with a chandelier in the spacious lobby, along with an arcade across from the concessions. The decorations are similar to those in the West Ridge 6 theaters.
In 2005, the much larger Wallace 16 was built (with stadium seating), and this theater promptly became a discount second run house, which it is today. The seating capacity has been reduced to 1,432
Contributed by
Michael Parsons
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Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
The lease problems referred to above were actually with the 6-plex inside the mall. The mall threatened litigation, but the new 14-plex opened and the 6-plex closed shortly afterward, so I assume they worked out an amicable separation. This 8-plex is not actually owned by the mall. It is my understanding that Richard Durwood (who owned Crown Cinema), purchased the land and built the theater free of monthly rent. That would explain why it is evidently profitable as a discount house.
The West Ridge 8 outside the mall opened on Friday July 9, 1993. The opening films were “Rookie of the Year,” “Weekend at Bernies 2,” “Strictly Ballroom,” “Much Ado about Nothing,” “Sleepless in Seattle” on 2 screens, and “In the Line of Fire” on 2 screens.
Hollywood Theaters took over operation on Friday December 20, 1996. Regal Cinemas announced their purchase of Hollywood Theaters on February 19, 2013.
Regal had been running 35mm at this theater into 2015 and it was rumored the theater would close. However, as of Friday April 17, 2015, all auditoriums are listed as digital, and the ticket price increased to $3.00. It looks like Topeka will continue to have a second-run theater for the forseeable future.
There was an article by Michael Hooper in the Topeka Capital Journal newspaper on Wednesday April 20, 2005, that said the West Ridge 6 would close on Thursday April 21, 2005.
It said that Coming Attractions Theatres Inc of Ashland, OR was interested in leasing the 6-plex space for a discount theater, but the mall was tied up in litigation with Hollywood Theaters (Wallace) over their premature exit.
At any rate, Wallace turned the above 8-plex into a discount theater first, which obviously dissuaded Coming Attractions from opening a discount theater of their own in the vacated space inside the mall.
1432 seats
now owned by some company called hollywood theaters.
Hollywood Theaters was acquired by Regal Entertainment Group in April 2013. Regal is still operating this theatre.
Policy changed from discount, sub-run house to first-run on January 27, 2023.
Yes, it appears that Regal is changing its policy at this theater. A first-run Crown Cinema venue when it opened in 1993, it became a second-run Hollywood/Wallace theater in 2004 when Hollywood opened their new 14-plex a couple of miles north. Now that Regal has closed the 14-plex in their bankruptcy, this property (which has always been owned outright, not leased) is changing to a varied mix of first-run and older films. The pricing is also quite varied. The final Regal second-run pricing was around $4.99 per ticket for evening shows. A look at Fandango pricing for Saturday night (Jan 28, 2023) at prime evening shows (6-8 pm) shows the range. For older films The Whale, The Fabelmans and Everything Everywhere, adult tickets are $5.47. For Fear and Whitney Houston I Wanna Dance with Somebody adult tickets are $7.37. For M3GAN and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish adult tickets are $9.83. and for Avatar: The Way of Water adult tickets are $12.02. (this is quite a bit less than B&B’s top Sat eve price for Avatar of $20.44. Regal’s matinee pricing is also varied, at lower pricing. It will be interesting to see if, or how, they will monitor people buying low priced tickets and simply walking into a higher priced auditorium. Regal is not known for staffing their theaters at proper levels. Also will be interesting to see how many people are willing to forgo the luxuries of stadium seating, heated reclining seats and Dolby Atmos at B&B to save money. This theater will be 30 years old in July, and as far as I know, has the original sloped floors and seats. I believe this theater and a couple of former Warren venues in Wichita are the only Regal branded properties left in Kansas.
I forgot ‘A Man Called Otto,’ which is also on the schedule (at $9.83 for Sat night). I should also clarify that even tho this theater and 3 Wichita theaters are operated by Regal, they are not actually branded on the buildings as Regal. This theater retains the Hollywood Theatres logo and the Wichita theaters still say Warren on the front.
Grand opening ad posted.