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Seven Multis For
World’s Largest
Chain
Regal Buys 76 R/C Screens
KNOXVILLE,
Tenn. – Regal Entertainment Group (REG) announced
on Feb. 28 that it had entered into an agreement to acquire
seven multiplexes from R/C Theatres for a proposed price
of approximately $31 million in cash.
The acquisition would add 76 screens to
Regal’s
portfolio, significantly boosting its presence in the
Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida and Maryland markets.
“During the quarter, we negotiated
diligently to acquire several high-quality theatres from
R/C Theatres,” stated
Regal theatre group CEO Mike Campbell. “We look
forward to a swift closing and a successful integration
of the acquired theatres by the end of the company’s
second fiscal quarter.”
R/C will continue to operate the balance
of its 143 pre-divestiture screens.
The largest motion picture exhibitor in
the world, Knoxville, Tenn.–based REG currently operates 6,273 screens
at 558 sites in 40 states. 
Four Multis Debut Between October and March
Regal Bows 64 Screens
In California, Florida & D.C.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Between October 2004 and March
2005, Regal Entertainment Group launched 64 new screens
in four new multis, boosting the circuit’s screen
count to 6,273.
•
First to bow, on Oct. 22, was Washington, D.C.’s
2,800-seat MCI Center 14-plex [In
Focus, June
2003].
•
Nov. 19 brought a 4,500-seat 18-plex situated in Corona,
Calif.’s Corona Crossings mixed-use development
center near Interstate 15.
 • A Dec. 10 opening greeted a 3,100-seat Riverside Plaza
16-plex in nearby Riverside, Calif. Its bow followed
a three-day series of preview events benefiting local
charities, including a marathon of open-caption films
held in conjunction with the nearby California School
for the Deaf.
 • Last to bow, on March 25, was a 3,400-seat Kendall Village
16-plex [In Focus, August
2003] in the Miami suburb
of Kendall, Fla. It replaces a shuttered Regal 9-plex nearby.
Each new facility
boasts stadium-style seating and digital surround sound
technology.
Knoxville, Tenn.–based REG is the world’s
largest motion picture exhibitor, operating 6,273 screens
at 558 sites in 40 states.
March Launch in Lynnwood
Loews Bows
Greater Seattle 16
LYNNWOOD, Wash. – Loews Cineplex Entertainment
(LCE) opened in late March a 16-plex in the Seattle suburb
of Lynnwood, Wash.
 Though LCE operates nine other multis in the market,
the Lynnwood plex is the circuit’s first not to
operate under the “Cineplex Odeon” name.
(Loews Theatres was merged with the Cineplex Odeon circuit
to form LCE in 1998.)
The 80,000-square-foot plex will join Nordstrom’s,
Bon-Macy’s, JC Penney and Sears to anchor the Alderwood
Mall, located on West 33rd Avenue.
The new facility will feature stadium-style seating,
wall-to-wall screens, digital sound, multiple indoor
box office stations and an expanded concession stand
offering Starbucks coffee.
“Loews Cineplex takes great pride in upgrading the moviegoing experience
for the loyal and passionate moviegoing audience of Seattle,” said LCE
senior VP of marketing John McCauley. “We believe this theatre, along with
its amenities and customer service, will quickly become a first-choice entertainment
destination.”
The New York-based circuit currently operates 2,176
screens at 200 sites in the United States, Mexico, Spain
and South Korea.
Bismarck 11 Swelling to 15
Grand Theatres 4
For North Dakota
BISMARCK, N.D. – Grand Theatres recently acquired three buildings and other
land adjacent to its 11-plex in Bismarck, with the intention of expanding the
facility into a 15-plex.
The acquisition follows an ongoing remodel/upgrade
which will expand and retrofit all auditoria with stadium-style
seating, digital sound and wall-to-wall screens.
Huron Site Expands
Logan Luxury Adds One
To Three in South Dakota
HURON, S.D. – Logan Luxury Theatres was set in March to complete the
conversion of its site in Huron, S.D., from a triplex to a quad. The circuit
also remodeled two existing auditoria and added a new lobby, box office and
concession stand.
The facility now boasts two stadium-style auditoria,
all-new rocker seats and digital sound. Colorado Upgrade
Trans-Lux Expands
Dillon 6-plex To 8
DILLON, Colo. – Trans-Lux Theatres in early March opened two new screens
at its Skyline multi in Dillon, Colo., bringing the former six-plex’s
screen count to eight.
The new auditoria feature stadium-style seating and
digital sound.
Trans-Lux operates 11 sites in New Mexico, Arizona,
Wyoming and Colorado. |
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Much Building In North Star State
Minnesota Making,
Massing Multiplexes
MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota’s exhibition industry has been bustling
of late with news of construction and openings.
• Cinemagic Theatres opened two new stadium-style
auditoria last November at its Hutchinson location,
converting the former 7-plex into a 9-plex. The site
also retrofitted two existing auditoria with stadium-style seating.
• A 10-plex operated by Lakes and Rivers Theatres bowed Dec. 15 in the
town of Owatonna, replacing the circuit’s Cedar Mall 6-plex. All
auditoria feature stadium-style seating and digital sound.
• Tom Griffin’s new Cold Spring 5-plex opened in February with stadium-style
seating and high-backed rocker seats.
• Kent Rebeck was set to create this spring a New Richmond 8-plex by adding
two new stadium-style auditoria to his 6-plex there. The older auditoria
have been earmarked for a spring upgrade to stadium-style seating.
• Lake and Rivers Theatres announced plans to bring a stadium-style 8-plex
to the city of Red Wing. The multi is slated to replace the area’s
mall 5-plex.
• In the Dinkytown section of Minneapolis, the Varsity 5-plex was slated
to undergo renovations which, upon completion, will upgrade the multi with
new seating and a stage suitable for occasional live performances.
Iowa
Plex Due Early 2006
AGT 14-plex
For Cedar Falls
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, Wis. – AGT Enterprises/Star-Iowa announced in late February
plans to bring a 14-plex to Cedar Falls, Iowa, by early 2006.
 Construction
on the multi, to be located off of Green Hill Road in
the Pinnacle Prairie development, is slated to begin
this spring.
The 60,000-square-foot facility will boast stadium-style
seating, high-backed rocker seats, wall-to-wall screens
and digital sound. The lobby will feature an expanded
concessions menu, and the entrance to the multi will
boast protection from inclement weather with a 3-lane
drive-through canopy.
The complex will also offer the “Baby Box Office” program,
providing special movie times during which parents and
caregivers can bring very young children.
“We’re looking forward to offering the people
of Cedar Falls this state-of-the-art multiplex,” stated
circuit co-owner Bill Adamany Jr. “We know people
from miles around will find Star Cinema to be the destination
to enjoy the highest level of movie entertainment.”
Prairie du Chien, Wis.-based AGT Enterprises/Star-Iowa
currently operates 91 screens in Wisconsin and Iowa.
Aubrey Stone New President
Staff Revamp For
Georgia Theatre Co.
ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – Georgia Theatre Co. on March 1 unveiled its
new slate of corporate officers, effective March 28.
 H. Aubrey Stone, former executive vice president, now
holds the positions of president & COO. Giving up
the title of president is ongoing GTC chairman and CEO
William J. Stembler.
Vice president of construction Scott Bagwell maintains
his post.
Former secretary-treasurer Dennis P. Merton is now
vice president of finance and assistant secretary. Film
buyer
Kip Smiley Jr. is now vice president
of film. Former director of operations Jeff Mobley is now vice president
of operations.
Former assistant secretary-treasurer Joan Mannheim
takes over the secretary-treasurer post.
Other GTC officers include advertising and promotions
manager Ansley Scoville, assistant secretary Cheryl Zimmerman,
and executive assistant & assistant
secretary Patricia Thompson.
St. Simons Island, Ga.-based GTC currently operates
267 screens at 28 sites in three states.
Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh Sites
Megastar Plans
17 In Vietnam
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam – New exhibitor Megastar Cineplex Vietnam announced
on March 14 the locations of its first two multiplexes:
• A 1,122-seat 8-plex will be located at the
recently completed VinCom City Towers, a mixed-use
development center in central Hanoi. The cinema,
which
could open as early as autumn, will feature two themed restaurants and
two rooftop beer bars.
• A 1,560-seat 9-plex, currently under construction, will be located at
the Hung Vuong Plaza in Ho Chi Minh City, also in a mixed-use retail and
residential complex.
Both multis will feature stadium-style seating,
a traditional concession stand and Internet kiosks
in the lobby.
Megastar is “in negotiations for eight other sites,” according
to a March 14 press release.
“We expect these first two cinema complexes
to quickly have a transformative impact on the entertainment
market in Vietnam,” stated circuit principal
J. Edward Shugrue.
“It is a nation of over 82 million people, yet
there are fewer than 100 cinemas of varying quality.
Our theatres will be unlike anything in the market
and will immediately change the expectations of moviegoers in Vietnam.”
CORRECTION
Georgia Theatre Co.’s new Dawson 400 Stadium Cinemas
10-plex is situated near the town of Dawsonville, Ga.,
approximately 40 miles north of Atlanta. Information
was incorrect in the March
2005 issue.
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