Conner’s Capital Corporation was an internal transfer in an effort to divert some money from our real estate to fund the theaters when C&S reneged on our funding agreement.
We opened Hail Hero first run Atlanta at Sandy Springs and Ansley. Michael Douglas first staring role. We had so few patrons, we took an add in the Atlanta Newspapers offering to pay $1.00 to anyone who would watch the movie. We limited it to the first 500 patrons. Turns out even if paid no one wanted to watch Michael Douglas in his first film. Cone Maddox
As best I can recall the Macon Mini was in a K-Mart Shopping Center.
That is the best I can Recall. By the way, yesterday April 4 was the 50th anaversary of the first two theaters at Peachtree Battle and Ansley Mall. Cone Maddox
Thanks for expanding on the Candler Mimi fate. I believe the last Mini to close was the Athens Mini at Alps Road. I have no idea what happened to Chattanooga, Rock Hill or Macon. Great to learn there is still interest after all these years. Cone Maddox
Additional theaters in the Modular Cinemas of America chain included the Athens MiniCinema at Alps Road. The Franklin Road MiniCinema with three screens and about 1,000 seats total in Marietta (2 240 seats and one 480 seat,)and Rock Hill South Carolina. We also owned and operated the East Art Cinema (The old Madison Theater) for a while. Actually the Madison (East Art Cinema) was the first theater we owned and operated.
Sandy Springs and Athens were franchised rather than company owned. Charles and Brooks Schoen owned the Athens MiniCinema. It was the first franchised theater in the world. Jerry Lewis came along several years later. The Sandy Springs MiniCinema was the second and last franchise to open. We quickly learned that franchiseing was not a viable option as we were unable to provide profitable film product in competative markets. When C&S Bank renigned on our financing, we were forced to sell the theaters to pay the Bank. The Sandy Springs and the Athens MiniCinema continued in business for some time.
Hope this helps. I’m happy to answer any questions any one may have. It’s great to learn that every ones efforts are not forgotten.
It was a great group! Nothing more fun than selling shadows on the wall, popcorn, candy and CocaCola for money. I will post further on the Sandy Springs site.
Sorry for the lousey seats and equipment. We had a commitment from C&S Bank for equipment and fixtures at about 10 locations. This theater was under construction when C&S reniged on the loan agreement. We had to finish the theater out of pocket as well as buy our way out of leases in Dallas TX and NJ.
The product was the best we could get. GA Theater used their buying power to “encourage” the distributers to allow us book only product that no one else would play. As I recall the best gross was obtained from a re-run of Woodstock.
Say what you will, the MiniCinema concept has been well proven over the last 40 years.
Thanks for remembering the Candler Twin MiniCinema.
Thanks!
Cone
Conner’s Capital Corporation was an internal transfer in an effort to divert some money from our real estate to fund the theaters when C&S reneged on our funding agreement.
We opened Hail Hero first run Atlanta at Sandy Springs and Ansley. Michael Douglas first staring role. We had so few patrons, we took an add in the Atlanta Newspapers offering to pay $1.00 to anyone who would watch the movie. We limited it to the first 500 patrons. Turns out even if paid no one wanted to watch Michael Douglas in his first film. Cone Maddox
As best I can recall the Macon Mini was in a K-Mart Shopping Center.
That is the best I can Recall. By the way, yesterday April 4 was the 50th anaversary of the first two theaters at Peachtree Battle and Ansley Mall. Cone Maddox
Thanks for expanding on the Candler Mimi fate. I believe the last Mini to close was the Athens Mini at Alps Road. I have no idea what happened to Chattanooga, Rock Hill or Macon. Great to learn there is still interest after all these years. Cone Maddox
I must confess, I loved the movie business. I’m happy to add what I can regarding the Alps Road MiniCinema.
Best wishes,
Cone
Additional theaters in the Modular Cinemas of America chain included the Athens MiniCinema at Alps Road. The Franklin Road MiniCinema with three screens and about 1,000 seats total in Marietta (2 240 seats and one 480 seat,)and Rock Hill South Carolina. We also owned and operated the East Art Cinema (The old Madison Theater) for a while. Actually the Madison (East Art Cinema) was the first theater we owned and operated.
Cone Maddox
Sandy Springs and Athens were franchised rather than company owned. Charles and Brooks Schoen owned the Athens MiniCinema. It was the first franchised theater in the world. Jerry Lewis came along several years later. The Sandy Springs MiniCinema was the second and last franchise to open. We quickly learned that franchiseing was not a viable option as we were unable to provide profitable film product in competative markets. When C&S Bank renigned on our financing, we were forced to sell the theaters to pay the Bank. The Sandy Springs and the Athens MiniCinema continued in business for some time.
Hope this helps. I’m happy to answer any questions any one may have. It’s great to learn that every ones efforts are not forgotten.
Best wishes,
Cone Maddox
It was a great group! Nothing more fun than selling shadows on the wall, popcorn, candy and CocaCola for money. I will post further on the Sandy Springs site.
Sorry for the lousey seats and equipment. We had a commitment from C&S Bank for equipment and fixtures at about 10 locations. This theater was under construction when C&S reniged on the loan agreement. We had to finish the theater out of pocket as well as buy our way out of leases in Dallas TX and NJ.
The product was the best we could get. GA Theater used their buying power to “encourage” the distributers to allow us book only product that no one else would play. As I recall the best gross was obtained from a re-run of Woodstock.
Say what you will, the MiniCinema concept has been well proven over the last 40 years.
Thanks for remembering the Candler Twin MiniCinema.
Cone Maddox