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Renovated Theater Draws Crowd

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 5, 2008

PLANT CITY - PLANT CITY - Since March 2007 movie fans in Plant City have lived with the hope that a theater would replace the Lake Walden Cinema 8 at 220 W. Alexander St.

That hope turned into a reality June 26 when the completely remodeled Premiere Cinema 8 opened in the same location with a free sneak preview.

"The line for the opening crowd extended the length of the shopping center Lake Walden Square and well into the parking lot," said Gary Moore, president of Texas-based Premiere Cinemas. "The response was overwhelming. We heard the words amazing, incredible and unbelievable many times from patrons who had been to the theater before and were now seeing it for the first time after renovation."

More than 800 people attended the sneak peek opening featuring four movies. One of the first in line was Wesley Heacock, who arrived four hours before the 7 p.m. opening.

"I was looking in the door while we were waiting when one of the managers in the lobby invited me in to take a look," Heacock said. "I've been here before. It's like a totally different place. People are going to love this theater."

Steve and Laura Brady and four of their six children were near the back of the line when the theater opened.

"This is going to be great," Steve Brady said. "With the renovations and new management we are looking for a clean, family oriented theater with good prices and lots of coupons."

Following the sneak preview, where admission, drinks and popcorn were free, the theater opened for paying customers the next afternoon.

"We're thrilled with the response and from all indications the movie-goers are also thrilled with their new cinema," Moore said. "We sold out of several movies during the opening weekend, but nobody got turned away, I think everyone ended up seeing something and we were so encouraged by the positive comments everyone had about the new stadium seating and the rocking chairs. People really seemed to like the comfort and quality they experienced."

Don Cseh, the contractor with Summit Construction, said demolition of the old theater formerly operated by Carmike Cinemas began on March 30.

"We stripped the entire theater to the bone," Cseh said. "We removed all the wallpaper, carpets, fixtures, tore down and replaced walls, totally rebuilt bathrooms, rebuilt the lobby and each auditorium. This place is literally brand new."

For movie times, call the theater at (813) 719-7600.

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451 or gnewman@tampatrib.com.

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