Movie theater raising the bar
By Mike Nolan mnolan@southtownstar.com August 8, 2012 6:48PM
Starting Aug. 9, patrons of the AMC Loews cinema at Chicago Ridge Mall might ponder that combination as the theater chain takes the wraps off an extensive renovation of the six-screen multiplex that includes the addition of a full bar.
Updated: September 9, 2012 6:16AM
What sort of wine goes with Raisinettes?
Starting Thursday, patrons of the AMC Loews cinema at Chicago Ridge Mall might ponder that combination as the theater chain takes the wraps off an extensive renovation of the six-screen multiplex that includes the addition of a full bar.
Other new features include leather power recliners as seating in each theater and an upgraded food selection, Ryan Noonan, spokesman for AMC Theatres, said.
He said it’s just AMC’s second location in the Chicago area to feature a bar. A theater that opened last year in Mount Prospect has one, and the company has nearly 30 around the country.
Called MacGuffins, the bar will offer a variety of beer, wine and liquor, he said, adding that it’s separated from the regular concession stand.
“We’re always looking for new and exciting ways to bring people into our theaters,” Noonan said. “We are always asking our guests what they want at the theater.”
To make room for the recliners, AMC had to scale back seating capacity in each theater by about 60 percent, Noonan said.
“We had to make sure we had room for people who were leaning back,” he said.
The operator of Chicago Ridge, CBL & Associates Properties, said new retailers have opened within the last couple of weeks at the mall, including Crazy 8, owned by Gymboree, and Kids Foot Locker.
In October, Old Navy will open in the mall near Carson Pirie Scott, moving from the Commons of Chicago Ridge shopping center south of the mall.
