The Stockdale 6 was from the generation of “disposable” multiplex theatres AMC built. By “disposable”, I mean that the venue was purposely designed for easy transition to other uses, once it had run it’s course as a cinema; ground level booths, thin interior walls, simplistic box design, and budget conscious amenities throughout. However, the theatre ultimately far outlived it’s expected life span and even saw business that warranted a few upgrades over the years.
The Triangle Square 8 opened in June of 1992, as Edwards' 34th theatre. As with the Triangle Square center, the theatre started off as an area “hot spot”, but fell out of favor within a few years. After major center tenants, like Niketown and Virgin Megastore, departed, the theatre (and surrounding shopping center) became a virtual ghost town.
During it’s heyday, the Triangle Square 8 featured a large cafe and expanded arcade; located in an angular shaped room, off the lobby’s southern side. After attendance fell, the area was converted in to a birthday party rental space.
This theatre was formerly known as the Valley View Twin and dates back to the mid 70’s (circa 1975). It was later divided up in to four long, narrow, auditoriums and renamed “Four Star Cinemas”. I believe the theatre was independently owned/operated by the same family, up until Starlight took over the site. Starlight added digital projection and began a lower priced first run business model.
“After selling/closing most of the original chain of NGC Theatres, he sold or closed most of the theatres he built.”
While Ted Mann did close/sell most of the old National General sites, in favor of multiplexes, he wasn’t involved with the company’s slide in to irrelevance. When Mann stepped down as company chairman in 1991, the company was still a regional powerhouse, with 510 screens. The real decline began around 1997, when Mann Theatres was purchased by Westar and continued after WF Cinema Holdings took over in 2000. They failed to make the transition from aging multiplexes to viable megaplexes.
The Gelndora 6 exemplifies what happened throughout the Mann chain. Success in the multiplex era, but a failure to keep up with industry changes in later years.
Apparently, the Miramar is in the process of being sold yet again. LAB Holdings, owners of the historic Casino San Clemente ballroom, have announced plans to renovate the theatre and neighboring bowling alley, for use as a performing arts center and restaurant, once the sale is complete.
Along with celebrating the theatre’s 85th anniversary this month, it was announced that phase one of the site’s renovation will begin in the Fall of 2010. Apparently, this first phase will primarily focus on the complex’s exterior and adjoining commercial units; the idea being that the commercial spaces can provide a steady income, once tenants are able to occupy them.
The theatre now features a Moroccan theme interior, second floor cafe/lounge (in another nod to the film “Casablanca”, the area is branded “Rick’s Cafe”), and food/alcohol service in one of the auditoriums.
The Tallahassee Movies 8 was opened by Cinemark, circa 1989. In 2004, the theatre was sold to Starplex Cinemas.
Starplex sold the Tallahassee Movies 8 to Cinema Holdings Group of New York, NY in May of 2010. The last day operated under Starplex Cinemas was 5/6/10.
They handed out 16" rulers as a novelty promtional item for the theatre’s grand opening.
This theatre used to be extremely busy, but also tended to attract it’s fair share of less than desirable patrons. At management training seminars, the Pine Square managers always seemed to have the worst customer incident stories.
I believe the theatre may have closed once again. The Star Performing Arts Center’s website no longer exists and the listed phone number has been disconnected. Additionally, there appears to have been no events at the venue for nearly a year.
If AMC markets this concept properly, which I’m sure they will, it will likely be very successful. Avoiding the IMAX moniker not only saves AMC licensing fees annd misc. expenses, but also exracts the issue of people comparing the experience to “classic IMAX” (i.e. you won’t be hearing complaints that it’s not what they are used to seeing with the brand).
In time, I doubt that most movie goers will even note the differences or shortcommings of these streamlined/“IMAX lite” auditoriums. As this scaled down offering becomes the new standard, people will forget about what IMAX used to mean/be. It’s amazing how short the public’s collective memory can be.
Healthy alternatives have been tried numerous times, by most chains, and it has always been a failure. About the only moderately successful program I’ve seen has been offering a juice box and/or raisins option for the kids pack. Everyone says they want a healthy option, but when you actually provide things like air popped corn, trailmix, milk, etc., nobody buys it. Theatre chains are focused on making a profit and, if they could make any money selling “healthier concessions”, they would.
It doesn’t really say anything about the other theatres they manage; just that these two sites had owners that wanted to do somethig else with the properties. They likely have a few other sites that could see the same thing happen down the road, but they also operate quite a few that are relatively locked in to remaining as cinemas. Plus, they’ve been picking up additional locations at a pretty steady pace (they are about to reopen the Franciscan Plaza, in San Juan Capistrano). This sort of loss and gain is just a part of doing business; especially when operating older cinema properties.
The rendering linked previously is from a Canadian architectural design firm (Sceno Plus) that specializes in entertainment venues. They were commissioned to develop a remodel concept for the “VIP balcony”. It’s an architectual rendering (i.e. design concept) and not intended to be an exact or detailed depiction of the theatre.
The re opening has been pushed back to March. The theatre will now be a four screen and feature a bar. The venue has converted to stadium seating, so the seating has likely been cut dramatically.
An acquaintance of mine managed an adult theatre in the late 70’s. One of the many interesting observations he shared concerned the condition of his former theatre. He noted that there was rarely an issue with adult era patrons damaging the facility or even causing a notable degree of wear. Most of his venue’s wear and tear was pre existing, from the theatre’s previous life as a traditional cinema, and remained/grew worse as a result of the owner’s lack of interest in spending money on maintenance. He even felt that the “porno crowd” were some of the best behaved he encountered over his career, as the majority were focused on remaining anonymous and passing through with the least degree of fuss. I once asked him if he ever received a customer complaint; he responded, “What was there to complain about? The film wasn’t arousing enough?”
Apparently, the Brea 5 will survive the mall’s remodel. Tristone Cinema Group (the same party that took on Anaheim’s Brookhurst and operates two other discount theatres) will reopen the Brea 5 sometime this year.
Ugh, it pains me to read some of these responses. Movie Theatres are a for profit business, the profit comes almost entirely from concession sales. Yes, food costs more at the concession stand, but that markup goes to cover rent, facility upkeep, salaries, advertising, etc.; while hopfully keeping enough to pull in a profit. Additionally, they must take advantage of very short sales windows (i.e. they don’t have day long opportunities, only the brief time before each set of shows starts). Theatre owners, even the big chains, aren’t out to rip anyone off, nor are they particularly greedy across the board. They are simply businesses trying to work within a very tight profit margin. If you take a look at most theatres' finances, you’ll find that they aren’t rolling in huge profits (especially in comparison to other industries).
The Fall of 09' will see the theatre utilized as a temporary horror attraction once again. However, this appears to be the venue’s “last hurrah”, as the property is advertising a major redevelopment for the overall complex; the architectural rendering appears to depict a new in-line “big box” center that would replace all of the existing structures.
To supplement my earlier profile; Mann opened the Brea Plaza, as a four screen, on 4/1/77.
The Stockdale 6 was from the generation of “disposable” multiplex theatres AMC built. By “disposable”, I mean that the venue was purposely designed for easy transition to other uses, once it had run it’s course as a cinema; ground level booths, thin interior walls, simplistic box design, and budget conscious amenities throughout. However, the theatre ultimately far outlived it’s expected life span and even saw business that warranted a few upgrades over the years.
The Triangle Square 8 opened in June of 1992, as Edwards' 34th theatre. As with the Triangle Square center, the theatre started off as an area “hot spot”, but fell out of favor within a few years. After major center tenants, like Niketown and Virgin Megastore, departed, the theatre (and surrounding shopping center) became a virtual ghost town.
During it’s heyday, the Triangle Square 8 featured a large cafe and expanded arcade; located in an angular shaped room, off the lobby’s southern side. After attendance fell, the area was converted in to a birthday party rental space.
This theatre was formerly known as the Valley View Twin and dates back to the mid 70’s (circa 1975). It was later divided up in to four long, narrow, auditoriums and renamed “Four Star Cinemas”. I believe the theatre was independently owned/operated by the same family, up until Starlight took over the site. Starlight added digital projection and began a lower priced first run business model.
“After selling/closing most of the original chain of NGC Theatres, he sold or closed most of the theatres he built.”
While Ted Mann did close/sell most of the old National General sites, in favor of multiplexes, he wasn’t involved with the company’s slide in to irrelevance. When Mann stepped down as company chairman in 1991, the company was still a regional powerhouse, with 510 screens. The real decline began around 1997, when Mann Theatres was purchased by Westar and continued after WF Cinema Holdings took over in 2000. They failed to make the transition from aging multiplexes to viable megaplexes.
The Gelndora 6 exemplifies what happened throughout the Mann chain. Success in the multiplex era, but a failure to keep up with industry changes in later years.
Apparently, the Miramar is in the process of being sold yet again. LAB Holdings, owners of the historic Casino San Clemente ballroom, have announced plans to renovate the theatre and neighboring bowling alley, for use as a performing arts center and restaurant, once the sale is complete.
Along with celebrating the theatre’s 85th anniversary this month, it was announced that phase one of the site’s renovation will begin in the Fall of 2010. Apparently, this first phase will primarily focus on the complex’s exterior and adjoining commercial units; the idea being that the commercial spaces can provide a steady income, once tenants are able to occupy them.
The seating counts for the theatre are as follows:
Aud 1 – 144
Aud 2 – 164
Aud 3 – 218
Aud 4 – 159
Aud 5 – 209
Aud 6 – 132
Aud 7 – 143
Aud 8 – 192
The theatre now features a Moroccan theme interior, second floor cafe/lounge (in another nod to the film “Casablanca”, the area is branded “Rick’s Cafe”), and food/alcohol service in one of the auditoriums.
The theatre reopened on 5/7/10 with “Oceans”, “The Back-Up Plan”, and two screens of “Ironman 2”.
The Tallahassee Movies 8 was opened by Cinemark, circa 1989. In 2004, the theatre was sold to Starplex Cinemas.
Starplex sold the Tallahassee Movies 8 to Cinema Holdings Group of New York, NY in May of 2010. The last day operated under Starplex Cinemas was 5/6/10.
The theatre we see today (minus the twinning) opened on June 26, 1935, with the Jane Withers film “Ginger”.
They handed out 16" rulers as a novelty promtional item for the theatre’s grand opening.
This theatre used to be extremely busy, but also tended to attract it’s fair share of less than desirable patrons. At management training seminars, the Pine Square managers always seemed to have the worst customer incident stories.
I believe the theatre may have closed once again. The Star Performing Arts Center’s website no longer exists and the listed phone number has been disconnected. Additionally, there appears to have been no events at the venue for nearly a year.
I wonder if this is permanent or if they utilized a temporary setup (as some theatres do for special screenings/events)?
If AMC markets this concept properly, which I’m sure they will, it will likely be very successful. Avoiding the IMAX moniker not only saves AMC licensing fees annd misc. expenses, but also exracts the issue of people comparing the experience to “classic IMAX” (i.e. you won’t be hearing complaints that it’s not what they are used to seeing with the brand).
In time, I doubt that most movie goers will even note the differences or shortcommings of these streamlined/“IMAX lite” auditoriums. As this scaled down offering becomes the new standard, people will forget about what IMAX used to mean/be. It’s amazing how short the public’s collective memory can be.
Healthy alternatives have been tried numerous times, by most chains, and it has always been a failure. About the only moderately successful program I’ve seen has been offering a juice box and/or raisins option for the kids pack. Everyone says they want a healthy option, but when you actually provide things like air popped corn, trailmix, milk, etc., nobody buys it. Theatre chains are focused on making a profit and, if they could make any money selling “healthier concessions”, they would.
It doesn’t really say anything about the other theatres they manage; just that these two sites had owners that wanted to do somethig else with the properties. They likely have a few other sites that could see the same thing happen down the road, but they also operate quite a few that are relatively locked in to remaining as cinemas. Plus, they’ve been picking up additional locations at a pretty steady pace (they are about to reopen the Franciscan Plaza, in San Juan Capistrano). This sort of loss and gain is just a part of doing business; especially when operating older cinema properties.
I should add that the rendering comes from the last remodel and is not some future project.
The rendering linked previously is from a Canadian architectural design firm (Sceno Plus) that specializes in entertainment venues. They were commissioned to develop a remodel concept for the “VIP balcony”. It’s an architectual rendering (i.e. design concept) and not intended to be an exact or detailed depiction of the theatre.
Stockyard Movies 8 was closed on 2/26/10. The theatre will be razed and the lot utilized for commercial truck parking.
The re opening has been pushed back to March. The theatre will now be a four screen and feature a bar. The venue has converted to stadium seating, so the seating has likely been cut dramatically.
An acquaintance of mine managed an adult theatre in the late 70’s. One of the many interesting observations he shared concerned the condition of his former theatre. He noted that there was rarely an issue with adult era patrons damaging the facility or even causing a notable degree of wear. Most of his venue’s wear and tear was pre existing, from the theatre’s previous life as a traditional cinema, and remained/grew worse as a result of the owner’s lack of interest in spending money on maintenance. He even felt that the “porno crowd” were some of the best behaved he encountered over his career, as the majority were focused on remaining anonymous and passing through with the least degree of fuss. I once asked him if he ever received a customer complaint; he responded, “What was there to complain about? The film wasn’t arousing enough?”
Apparently, the Brea 5 will survive the mall’s remodel. Tristone Cinema Group (the same party that took on Anaheim’s Brookhurst and operates two other discount theatres) will reopen the Brea 5 sometime this year.
Ugh, it pains me to read some of these responses. Movie Theatres are a for profit business, the profit comes almost entirely from concession sales. Yes, food costs more at the concession stand, but that markup goes to cover rent, facility upkeep, salaries, advertising, etc.; while hopfully keeping enough to pull in a profit. Additionally, they must take advantage of very short sales windows (i.e. they don’t have day long opportunities, only the brief time before each set of shows starts). Theatre owners, even the big chains, aren’t out to rip anyone off, nor are they particularly greedy across the board. They are simply businesses trying to work within a very tight profit margin. If you take a look at most theatres' finances, you’ll find that they aren’t rolling in huge profits (especially in comparison to other industries).
The Fall of 09' will see the theatre utilized as a temporary horror attraction once again. However, this appears to be the venue’s “last hurrah”, as the property is advertising a major redevelopment for the overall complex; the architectural rendering appears to depict a new in-line “big box” center that would replace all of the existing structures.
To supplement my earlier profile; Mann opened the Brea Plaza, as a four screen, on 4/1/77.