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No Debating Autumn
Bow
Lincoln Douglas
4-Plex Draws Near
LINCOLN, Neb. – Douglas Theatre Co. is set to open
its newest multi Nov. 19 in the center of downtown Lincoln,
Neb.
 Different from any facility previously
constructed by Douglas, the 14-plex features an urban-influenced
design,
utilizing for its exterior copper-colored aluminum composite
panels and blue canvas awnings. The site also features
windows that contain the work of a number of artists,
including world-renowned sculptor Fred Hoppe and University
of Nebraska art students.
Its expansive art-deco lobby boasts black
marble flooring, wrought-iron railings and character
silhouettes.
One auditorium has been designated a “period piece” room
with a full sweeping curtain covering the screen and
draped walls.
The multi also features a game room accessible
through a circular bank-vault door, digital sound, stadium-style
rocker seating and extended leg room.
Lincoln-based Douglas currently operates 105 screens
at 12 sites.
Northeast Suburb
CCG 12 To Brighton
Denver Area In Feb.
BRIGHTON, Colo. – Colorado Cinema Group announced
in early September plans to bow a 12-plex in the Denver
suburb of Brighton by mid-February.
Construction on the Brighton Pavilions Stadium 12,
located between U.S. 85 and South Main Street, is already
underway.
 The multi will be a component of the 14-acre Brighton
Pavilions retail and entertainment complex. With 33,000-square
feet of retail space and an Rapid Transportation District
(RTD) park-n-ride facility, the complex will also feature
several restaurants and shops accentuated by a central
clock tower.
Auditoria will boast stadium-style seating with deluxe
rocker-motion seats, digital sound, wall-to-wall screens
and an array of concessions including hand-dipped ice
cream.
“Colorado Cinemas recognizes the tremendous growth
in the Brighton area and this multiplex will complement
our growing list of Front Range locations,” stated
circuit president Cliff Godfrey.
Aurora, Colo.-based CCG currently operates 85 screens
at eight sites throughout the Centennial State.
September Renovation
MJR’s Michigan 12
Grows To 16
 CHESTERFIELD, Mich. – MJR Theatres was expected
to commence in September an extensive expansion and renovation
of its Chesterfield Crossing Cinema 12-plex. The facility
was set to close from Sept. 7 through Oct. 1 for the
project.
Plans called for a totally new concession stand, two
new box offices and an additional 2,000 square feet
for the lobby area.
The construction of four new auditoria was expected
to continue during the grand re-opening of the lobby.
The
new auditoria, to be completed by November, will
feature stadium-style high-backed seating and digital
sound.
Oak Park, Mich.-based MJR currently operates 87 screens
at six sites.
Miami Awaits Multi
Regal Brings 16
To Southland Mall
CUTLER RIDGE, Fla. – Regal Entertainment Group
announced on July 12 plans to open by autumn 2005 a new
71,000-square-foot 16-plex in the Miami market.
Located at U.S. Highway 1 and Southwest 205th Street,
the Regal Southland Stadium 16 will be a component of
the Southland Mall, formerly known as Cutler Ridge Mall,
which attracts patrons from South Miami and other parts
of Dade County.
Slated to begin construction this year, the site will
feature stadium-style seating, high-backed rocking recliner
seats and the latest digital surround sound technologies.
“We are excited to welcome Regal Cinemas to Southland
Mall,” said Jim Schlesinger, T/S Development managing
partner. “It will join other new stores such as
DSW and other big-box retailers. This is part of the
ongoing renovation and re-tenanting efforts at the mall.”
Regal currently operates 6,020 screens at 545 sites
in 39 states.
Slidell, Covington Sites
Morrison Building
Louisiana 14-Plexes
BATON ROUGE, La. – Morrison Theatres announced
on Aug. 17 plans to open a pair of 14-plexes in the Louisiana
Parish of St. Tammany, just north of New Orleans. Both
multis are due to bow next summer.
The Slidell site will be located in the redeveloped
Schwegmann Shopping Center, near the intersection of
Grause Road
and Interstate 10.
 The Covington site, situated just northeast of where
Interstate 12 meets Highway 231, will be a component
of the 550-acre Nord du Lac project.
Both facilities will program first-run product and
feature a game room, digital sound, and stadium-style
seating
with high-backed recliners and extended leg room.
“When I started this, my motivation was to be
able to do something that few other people get to do,” said
Shane Morrison, owner of the Baton Rouge, La.-based company. “I’m
equally excited with the help of Gulf States Real Estates
to have now secured the two best sites on the vibrant
Northshore.”
Morrison, which previously announced it would construct
cinemas in the Louisiana cities of Lafayette and Ruston,
currently operates the Grand 8-plex in Baton Rouge.
Rogers Malco, Over and Out
Malco Slates 14
For NW Arkansas
ROGERS, Ark. – Malco Theatres announced in early
September plans for a 14-plex to become part of the Pleasant
Crossing commercial space in Rogers, a city situated
in Northwest Arkansas fewer than 25 miles from the Oklahoma
and Missouri borders.
Construction is slated to begin in early January, with
expected completion by late 2005.
Malco was originally set to expand its existing Towne
Cinema 12-plex in Rogers but, as the area continued to
experience “explosive” growth, the circuit
decided to build a new cinema instead.
Pleasant Crossing, a 500,000-square-foot open-air shopping
center, is currently being constructed on the east side
of Interstate 540. Retailers there are expected to open
for business next autumn.
The multi, to be modeled after Malco’s Paradiso
Cinema in Memphis, Tenn., will feature stadium-style
seating, digital sound and an auditorium capable of exhibiting
large-format films. The facility will also offer an Internet
café, a fireplace café with an expanded
concession menu, a separate video arcade and rooms designed
for birthday party and corporate events.
Memphis, Tenn.-based Malco currently operates 283 screens
at 35 sites.
Spring 2005 Bow Near Coast
Consolidated
12 For SE Virginia
JAMES CITY COUNTY, Va. – Consolidated Theatres
has slated a spring opening for its 12-plex in Virginia’s
James City County, according to a Sept. 8 circuit announcement.
The New Town Center multi is designed to span 42,000
square feet, and will feature wall-to-wall screens, digital
sound and 2,200 stadium-style high-back rocker seats
with padded armrests. An expanded concessions selection
will feature pizza by Pizzeria Uno and Dippin’ Dots
ice cream.
The cinema will be one component of the planned New
Town Center covering 365 acres on Monticello Avenue,
between
Route 199 and Ironbound Road. Surrounding the multi
will be a 1.6 million-square-foot community complete
with
industrial, entertainment, office and residential spaces.
High-end retail and specialty stores and public park
areas will also be a part of the center.
Consolidated currently operates 258 screens at 18 sites
in four states.
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Aramark Strikes Agreement In September
Affordable Prices On Uniforms Via NATO
WASHINGTON, D.C. – NATO entered into an agreement Sept. 1 with national
clothing supplier Aramark to provide uniforms to the association’s membership
at affordable prices.
NATO members can also take advantage of free shipping
on any orders placed before Nov. 30.
A national account team has been established to answer
questions, process orders and even assist in choosing
garments to fit a particular cinema’s needs.
Orders can be placed via Aramark’s toll-free number (800) 888-2900
Ext. 5225 during normal business hours; orders via fax (800) 867-7160 can
be received
at any time. NATO members will also eventually be able to place orders via
an Aramark Website linked to http://www.natoonline.org.
Results of a recent NATO survey revealed “overwhelming” interest
in such a program, according to association vice president and executive
director MaryAnn Anderson.
Many members have already
taken advantage of this wonderful
program,” she said. “A catalog of all items available to NATO members
will be distributed sometime in November. In the meantime members can refer to
their survey to see the choices available. We will also have a duplicate of the
survey online.
“Many specials will be offered throughout the
year. We are excited to be giving our members access
to this program, which offers high-quality merchandise
and
great service, all at a significant reduction in cost.”
NATO exhibitors have the option of purchasing, renting
or leasing the uniforms. Aramark offers a “100-percent satisfaction guarantee” which allows
dissatisfied NATO members to return uniforms for refunds, even if the uniforms
are screen-printed or embroidered.
“Whether you are outfitting your ticketers, ushers
or concession personnel, Aramark will provide an attractive
and affordable solution,” said Aramark program
manager Clark Blanchard. “Our customers have come to expect consistent,
high quality products; all of our garments have been engineered and constructed
specifically for work to ensure the proper fit and flexibility you need. This
new program has been designed to convey a professional and unique image that
provides outstanding comfort and durability.”
New Independent Directors
Coleman, Dolan
Join Regal Board
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Regal Entertainment Group (REG),
which operates the world’s largest cinema chain,
announced on June 22 the appointments of two new directors
to its board.
Lewis W. Coleman has been appointed independent director,
chairman of the company’s audit committee and a
member of its nominating and governance committee. Coleman
is currently the president of the Gordon E. and Betty
I. Moore Foundation and a member of the executive committee
of Banc of America Securities. He previously served as
Banc of America’s vice chairman and chief financial
officer.
CineMedia also announced Michael J. Dolan as an independent
director and member of the company’s compensation
and nominating and governance committee. A former chairman
and CEO of Young & Rubicam Inc., Dolan currently
serves as a director and member of the audit committee
of Mattel Inc.
The appointments, effective June 12, increase the size
of the board to nine members. Coleman is a class II director,
standing for election in 2006 while Dolan is a class
III director, standing for election in 2005.
“We believe Mike’s experience in advertising and
food-related brand development will be particularly valuable
to both Regal CineMedia’s advertising and other
media-related businesses and Regal’s concessions
business,” said REG co-CEO Kurt Hall.
“We are extremely pleased to welcome Lew to the
Regal Entertainment Group board of directors,” stated
REG co-CEO Mike Campbell. “Lew’s vast knowledge
of investment banking, accounting and finance will broaden
the experience base of the company’s board, and
contribute valuable strategic perspective.”
Florida-based Exhibitor
Sunstar Theatres
Out of Bankruptcy
MIAMI – Sunstar Theatres announced Sept. 7 its
emergence from bankruptcy following approval from U.S.
district courts.
The Miami-based circuit retains its 8-plex in Lockport,
N.Y., and its five Florida multis in Naples, Coral
Springs, Lake Mary, Ocala and Sarasota.
In addition, Sunstar on Aug. 6 added to its fleet the
Edison 8-plex in Ft. Myers, Fla., a former Regal
Cinemas multi that ceased operation four years ago. Sunstar
added to the Edison a new lobby and concession stand,
as well
as new screens, sound systems and seating.
Sunstar, which will show World Cup soccer matches
through 2006 in select locations, now operates
a total of 54
screens.
Consolidated CEO Gets ‘E’
ShowEast Honor
Rolls To Stone
 ORLANDO, Fla. – Consolidated Theatres CEO Herman
A. Stone has been tapped to receive the 2004 Show “E” Award
at ShowEast’s Oct. 28 Coca-Cola-sponsored Final
Night banquet.
The honor recognizes Stone’s “achievements
and accomplishments and outstanding dedication and commitment
to the betterment of the motion picture experience,” according
to a convention press release.
“Herman Stone’s ardent dedication has been a mainstay
of the motion picture industry,” noted convention
co-managing director Mitch Neuhauser. “ShowEast
is honored that we can pay tribute to the incredible
job that Mr. Stone has done and continues to do for Consolidated
Theatres.”
Stone joined Consolidated after graduating from Pfieffer
College in 1965 and ascended to the chain’s presidency
in 1986. In 2005, the circuit will operate more than
300 screens at 22 sites.
Stone was named “Statesman of the Year” at
the August 2003 ShowSouth conference.
This year’s Oct. 25-28 ShowEast, headquartered
at Florida’s Orlando World Center Marriott, is
estimated to attract 2,500 members of the motion picture
industry.
$30,000 In Scholarships
20 Wisconsin Cinema
Employees Get $1,500
MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. – NATO of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan announced
in July the 20 recipients of its annual cinema employee scholarships.
All residents of Wisconsin, each winner was awarded a
$1,500 scholarship to assist in the continuing pursuit
of education. The recipients are:
• Jeffrey Bernhart, Star Cinema, Fitchburg;
• Derek Blanchard, Rogers Cinema 7, Marshfield;
• Thomas E. Campbell, Rock Theatres, Janesville;
• Hailey Cloutier, Rogers Grand Theatres, New London;
• Vanessa Coe, Lake 7 Theatres, Rice Lake;
• Suzanna Considine, Portage Theatres, Portage;
• Ryan Drake, Cedar Creek Cinema, Mosinee;
• Jamie Federwitz, Rogers Cinema 7, Marshfield;
• Jacelyn. A Filarski, Theatres of Whitewater, Whitewater;
• Christine M. Grimm, Portage Theatres, Portage;
• Colton Kaminski, Rogers Cinema 6, Marshfield;
• Aruna Maya Khan, West Gate Cinema, Racine;
• Anthony Jared Klein, Avalon Cinema, Platteville;
• Adam Lewis, Rogers Cinema 6, Marshfield;
• Christopher Miller, Rogers Cinema 7, Marshfield;
• Alexander Heins Paschke, Point Cinema, Madison;
• Kim Stantis, Point Cinema, Madison;
• Kimberly Tanquay, Rogers Cinema 6, Marshfield;
• Kelly Lynn Thompson, Hwyward Cinema 4, Hayward, and
• Jesse Zarley, Rouman Cinema, Rhinelander.
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