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| Decatur, Ala. | Wednesday, June 19, 2013 |
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3/6/13
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6522 views
1st look: Monaco’s rival
Carmike 8 closes to make way for new Carmike 12
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When digital projectors begin rolling at Decatur’s new Carmike 12 on Thursday night, the theater will be a technological wonder of the region and will rival its upscale competition, Monaco Pictures, in Huntsville.
That’s what a Carmike Cinemas official said of the state-of-the-art, 12-screen theater opening in Decatur Mall.
On Tuesday, The Daily got a preview of what moviegoers can expect Thursday night — Carmike’s modern prototype design, which it is building at its theaters, marketing director Terrell Mayton said.
“It’s all about giving our customers the ultimate moviegoing experience possible,” Mayton said. “We feel confident this theater is going to provide something to Decatur that you won’t find anywhere else.”
Sleek, silver wave-like panels and blue drop-down light fixtures hang overhead in the lobby. If entering from the mall, brightly lit concessions with digital menu boards dominate the right side of the lobby, while a “popcorn factory” refill station and automated Coca-Cola Freestyle drink machines with 140 flavors cover the left side. In the middle, high-top tables and chairs and cushioned bench seating are scattered throughout the lobby.
“Everything is designed to get people in and serve them quickly so they can go into the auditoriums and enjoy their movie,” Mayton said, referring to Carmike’s “fast-pass” ticket office. “We also want people to feel comfortable and relax in the lobby if they want, too.”
The jewel in Carmike 12’s crown is its BigD format auditorium. Mayton said it is Alabama’s first and among the largest in the region with 600 stadium seats and a 60-foot-wide, 3½-story-tall screen.
“You’re not going to see anything like this in Huntsville,” Mayton said. “The BigD format is what we’re rolling out in all our new theaters across the country. It can do 2-D and 3-D movies.
“It’s where you want to see the blockbuster, action/adventure film.”
The other 11 auditoriums, all with high-back chairs also arranged in stadium seating layout, are three sizes, he said. Altogether, the theater can seat about 2,400.
Patrons heading to their movie will walk past the theater’s “brain,” a blue-lit room with a large window exposing rows of equipment connected to cables coming down through metal tubes from the ceiling. Each “tower” controls an auditorium — from beginning the trailers, dimming the lights, turning on the projector and starting the sound system, Mayton said. One to two people will operate it, he said.
“We don’t want to hide the heart of the operation away,” Mayton said of the control room. “We want our guests to see that they’re getting the most advanced technological presentation available.”
In recent years, many residents have bypassed Decatur’s now-defunct theaters — Regal Cinemas, which closed in December, and Carmike 8, which closed Tuesday — for more sophisticated options in Huntsville.
Chamber of Commerce officials have said the upscale 14-screen, 2,774-seat Monaco Pictures at Bridge Street Town Centre off Old Madison Pike draws many moviegoers across the Tennessee River. Carmike recently acquired another popular Huntsville theater, Rave Motion Pictures, now called Valley Bend 18, on Four Mile Post Road.
At Monaco, patrons ages 21 and older can pay extra to watch a film on the second-level Prive area, where there is reserved seating, upscale concessions, a lounge and wine-tasting bar. Those in the Prive section can buy alcoholic beverages.
While Carmike plans to serve beer and wine at today’s VIP grand opening ceremony, alcoholic beverages will not be part of Carmike 12’s concessions, Decatur Mall manager Kathy Hammond said.
Mayton said the new Carmike will employ 40 to 50 people, including some part-time help, with the entire Carmike 8 staff coming over, including longtime manager Bruce DeClermont.
Tiffeny Owens can be reached at 256-340-2440 or towens@decaturdaily.com.
Carmike 12 pricing information
Location: Decatur Mall, 1801 Beltline Road S.W.
Ticket prices: Adults $9; Children 3-11 $7.50; Seniors 65 and older $8; Bargain matinee $7; Super bargain matinee (show times from 4-5:30 p.m.) $5.50; Midnight shows $10; 3-D show add $3; BigD show add $2 and 3-D/BigD show add $5.
Discounts: “Stimulus Tuesday” $2 popcorn, candy and drinks. Popcorn buckets bought at Carmike 8 can be used at the new theater.
For more information, call theater at 256-260-1360 or go to www.carmike.com
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LOL, digital projectors don't roll!!!
This is a long needed awaited facility in Decatur. I have not been to a movie theater in Decatur for twenty years but I look forward to attending this one. AWESOME!
Steve, I haven't been to Carmike in 8 years. The last time I went I took my children to see a movie and AFTER I paid for our tickets was told the heat wasn't working in the theater. I haven't been back. I have sent emails to Carmike with no response. Carmike will never get my business. They should never have been charging full price at that run down filthy theater on 14th. Carmike, whether new or not, will never be a rival to the Monaco. It will probably just be a bunch of rowdy teenagers just like at Regal.
The upper "Prive" level is not the only reserved seating at Monaco...all the seating is reserved. That's why I like going there, I can buy my tickets online and choose the seats I want. If the new Carmike does not offer that, then I will still go to Monaco.
Plans are being explored for an exclusive section that would have many more amenities that Monaco,
I am with Decatur - I like being able to buy my tickets online and choose my seats. It seems like this is something any new theater would offer.
If you live in Decatur I would hope you would support your community and spend your tax dollars in Decatur. Carmike did not provide a very good product in Decatur for a long time, but they survived bankruptcy and have emerged as a fast growing and profitable company. The new mall owners have committed to spend over $40M on the mall. The new Belk store and the new Carmike 12 are just the first two improvements. If you want better retail, entertainment, and restaurants in Decatur you have to support what we do have. Decatur is improving in all areas and we are just getting started. I'm thrilled to not have to drive 30 minutes to get to a theater or a decent restaurant.
Blake, totally agree. If you served free drinks, pie and ice cream, unlimited popcorn & candy, and threw in a massage, there are still some that would never be satisfied. They thrive on B-ing and moaning 24-7. That is how they justify their existence. I say, if you don't like it, stay at home, drive somewhere else or just do everyone a favor and move out of Decatur. We don't need the negativity! We have enough of that at City Hall with our Council. I am glad our mall is coming around. I was amazed at the Belk improvements and the quality of their merchandise now over the past. I can actually find clothes there now. My kids love the movies, reserved seating or not, it beats spending an extra $50 in gas to drive to Bridge Street.
Dave, really? Where are you hearing this? This article, plus what I have heard from others connected to the new theater, have said that they new theater will not have anything like the Prive' area Monaco offers. I was told by a Carmike VP that the company does not have any interest in having any of their new theaters offer alcoholic beverages or special seating.
The new theater will have us going to Huntsville less to see a movie, but it will not keep us from going to the Monaco either. The difference between this new Carmike theater and the Monaco is huge...location, location, location. Bridgestreet has more to offer than the mall. For a trip that will include shopping or dining plus a movie, the Monaco will still have the advantage. I also like that the Monaco allows the customer to choose their seats and buy their tickets online without charging a "convenience fee". Carmike, as far as I know, still has their customers use Fandango, which charges a fee for each ticket purchased.
Lets forget the Old Regal and Carmike Cenamas, there history, Now we have an opertunity to go to a new Cenama.
Go enjoy the NEW and forget about the OLD. Support Decatur and keep the money in Decatur and Morgan County. Thank you
Adults $9; Children 3-11 $7.50; So a 12 year old has to pay an adult price but cannot go see an adult movie (PG-13 or R rated) What about a student rate?
re-read that. adult tickets are $9, but add $2 for the "Big D or 3D". so $11
whpops... 3D is add $5. that's a bit of a high add on. (in my opinion)
Finally!!!
This is a win win for Decatur!
This is all fine and dandy, however Carmike 10 on Old Madison Pike is $1.50 per movie. When you have several people going, it makes the drive worth it! Support Decatur? If the officials over the growth of this town were all fired and get some leaders like our neighboring cities we would get the support of the people. This town is stagnate when compared to Madison, Athens, & Huntsville. Wake up Decatur Planning & building department!
I agree with what several have said on here. I'm glad Decatur has a great theater and I will go and support it, but on blockbuster movie opening weekends where I want to see the movie immediately, I'll still be going to Monaco where I can buy my ticket online to reserve my seat. If this Carmike offered reserved seating, I'd see all movies in Decatur.
I'm sticking with Monaco.. I like being able to reserve my sit online and buying my tickets in advance. Plus it's only 25 cents more.. $9.25 for adults and 6.75 for kids..and they don't charge extra if it's 3D etc.. Plus the added benefit for being able to be out doors and hit the shops and just enjoy the atmosphere is comparable .
Oh and Senior prices are $6.75 as well... at Monaco.. Midnight pricing is like $11.25 for an adult...
Blake, I rest my case.
For all of you talking about supporting Decatur, that was the big push and campaign in Decatur all those years ago when Carmike had no heat. In fact, my first email to Carmike and letter to Decatur Daily talked about the signs all over Decatur that stated "Buy in Decatur" Carmike didn't see fit to respond to my email until I contacted them multiple times and at that time stated they had no plans to update their current theater or build a new one, that they had just replaced the seating. That was approximately 8 years ago. My family has, in fact, moved out of Decatur as you suggested those of us that are 'B-ing" do because Decatur schools had nothing to offer our children other than tip-toing around discipline issues for fear of sending too many of a specific race to CASE. As I said before, we will continue to drive to the Monaco or maybe even the Rave and you faithful supporters of Decatur can enjoy your movies at the Carmike theater.
Support Decatur! If everyone loves Madison much, why not just move there! I for one am very hopeful for Decatur Mall, and all other retail that has just opened!
Glad you and your kids are gone Robert.
p.s. wait till sequestration takes a good hold on the area that you have moved to. It will be alot worse than where you moved from.
It is very nice, but doesn't rival the Monaco. Two different worlds. Two EXTREMELY different worlds.
Me too Decatur High, me too! We are proud of our decision to move. I hear people say all the time they would move if they could.
If you have moved on then why do you continue to come to this site and post negatively about Decatur. Would seem to me, since you have moved up and on, you would be beyond that. Just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions.
The large theater, the Big D is bigger and nicer than anything in Huntsville.
Nothing wrong with going to Huntsville's Monaco. I had refused to go to old Carmike for ANY movie. We may still go to Huntsville for a movie, especially the $1.50 theatre. But now we don't have to make the long drive to see one. There's also a cut-rate late afternoon time. Not bad.