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Twelve Northeast Sites Bow Tie Acquires 95 Crown Screens NEW YORK – Bow Tie Partners, a New York-based real estate development and entertainment company, announced in November the acquisition of 95 screens in 12 locations in Connecticut and Maryland from the South Norwalk-based Crown Theatres. With this acquisition of these sites, Bow Tie operates 137 screens at 17 sites in Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, New York and Virginia. The company, operated by Charles B. Moss Jr. and his son Ben Moss, specializes in the redevelopment of historic and architecturally significant properties. Its cinema ownership dates back to the founding of the company, which began operating storefront nickelodeons in 1900. Nebraska & Indiana Sites Great Escape Unleashes 28 NEW ALBANY, Ind. – Great Escape Theatres launched in autumn two new Midwest sites – a 16-plex in Omaha, Neb., and a 12-plex in Clarksville, Ind. The Omaha plex, which bowed Oct. 20, is located in the Sorensen Park Plaza off 72nd Street and Sorensen Parkway. It features a two-story game room and an auditorium featuring digital projection. The Clarksville plex, which debuted Nov. 3 at the River Falls Mall, hosted a grand opening celebration that included classic movies. Both sites offer birthday rooms, online and advance ticketing, automated kiosks, and auditoria with stadium-style rocking seating with retractable armrests. Great Escape, based in New Albany, Ind., operates 240 screens at 23 sites, with 75 additional screens “currently under development,” according to a circuit press release.   Grand Junction Facility Regal Launches Colorado 14-Plex GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Regal Entertainment Group (REG) bowed Nov. 17 its 14-plex in the Western Colorado town of Grand Junction. The site features approximately 2,200 stadium-style, high-backed rocking seats with retractable cupholder armrests. Prior to opening, the plex hosted three days of preview events offering $1 films, $1 popcorn and $1 soft drinks, with all proceeds benefiting local charities. “Regal Cinemas Canyon View Stadium 14 will provide moviegoers in Grand Junction with a state-of-the-art theatre in a convenient and accessible location,” said REG senior vice president of marketing and advertising Dick Westerling. “The new facility will attract and impress moviegoers from the entire Western Slope.” Regal Entertainment Group is the largest motion picture exhibitor in the world, operating 6,386 screens at 539 sites in 40 states and the District of Columbia.   Multi To Nest in Pigeon Forge Epic Chain Plans Tennessee 12-Plex PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – Epic Theatres announced in November plans to open a 12-plex in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., about 35 miles southeast of Knoxville. The site will anchor a newly constructed 25-acre lifestyle complex located at the intersection of Jake Thomas Road and Teaster Lane. The new site will offer auditoria featuring stadium-style rocking seats with retractable armrests, as well as party rooms, Internet ticketing, and both 35mm and digital projection. Epic Theatres, based in DeLand, Fla., operates 39 screens at six sites in Florida, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, with 74 screens at five additional sites in various stages of development.

South Orange Site Clearview Opens Jersey Five-Plex SOUTH ORANGE, New Jersey – Clearview Cinemas on Nov. 3 officially opened the doors of its new 5-plex, part of the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) in South Orange Village, N.J. The 14,000-square-foot site, located behind Sloan Street and adjacent to the New Jersey Transit Station, will offer first-run mainstream and independent product and automated ticketing kiosks. Prior to opening, the plex hosted a five-day event to introduce the facilities to the public, screening classic and family fare such as “The Godfather” and “Shrek” for $1 each, with all proceeds benefiting the new adjoining arts center. “We are excited about our partnership with SOPAC and about expanding Clearview Cinemas’ presence in New Jersey and, specifically, Essex county,” said Doug Oines, circuit senior vice president and general manager. “South Orange deserves this unique live arts and cinema facility, and we look forward to bringing quality movies to the area for many years to come.” A component of Cablevision Systems Corp., Bethpage, New York-based Clearview Cinemas operates 262 screens at 51 sites in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.   Prez Behind The Counter Marcus Execs Usher In 71st Anniversary MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Marcus Corp. celebrated on Nov. 1 the 71st anniversary of the company’s founding. In honor of the occasion, nearly five dozen executives and other corporate staff went to work in the company’s hotels and movie theatres. “My father (Marcus Corp. founder Ben Marcus) always said ‘Our people are this company’s most important asset,’” said Steve Marcus, current Marcus Corp. CEO. “Knowing how hard our people work and really understanding what they experience on a day-to-day basis helps all of us at the corporate office better support our associates.” Among those participating were Marcus, who served as a hotel concierge, Marcus Theatres president Bruce Olson, who scooped popcorn and took tickets at a local theatre site and Bill Otto, president of Marcus Hotels and resorts, who served as a hotel doorman for the day. Marcus Corp., based in Milwaukee, Wis., operates 508 screens at 43 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Missouri, California, Minnesota and Texas via its Marcus Theatres division.   November Reopening Hollywood Theatres Brings Back Malibu MALIBU, Calif. – Hollywood Theatres on Nov. 17 reopened its Malibu, Calif., twin after 18 months of extensive renovation. Located in the upscale Los Angeles suburb, the site was closed due to a fire at its host shopping center, the Malibu Creek Plaza. The site now features leather seats with retractable cupholder armrests, a lobby with marble flooring and mahogany cabinetry, and an expanded concession stand offering ice cream, soft pretzels, fresh baked cookies, juices and teas, in addition to traditional fare. “The unfortunate fire at the Malibu Creek Plaza provided us with the opportunity to greatly upgrade the facility to the caliber that the people of Malibu deserve,” said circuit COO John Hunter. Based in Portland, Ore., Hollywood operates 525 screens in 15 U.S. states, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa.