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February 17, 2005
Teays Valley Cinemas Open March 25; Built by Brother of Pullman Square Multiplex Developer
by Tony Rutherford
Huntington News Network Writer
Huntington (HNN) — Teas Valley Cinemas, just off the Interstate 64 exit at Winfield, W.Va., plans a grand opening March 25, according to Brian McCall, of All Star Cinemas which has constructed the ten-screen stadium seated, all digital sound multi-plex.
McCall, the younger brother of Curtis McCall, who is CEO of Beckley-based Marquee Cinemas, "grew up in the business" having been 12 when his family opened their first theatre — a twin screen cinema in Rainelle. After college and eight years with Marquee, he and his partners began All Star Cinemas in 1999. Their first theatre was the ten screen stadium seating Sand Hills Cinema in Southern Pines, N.C.
Since then, the company has added locations in Shallotte, N.C. (Coastal Cinemas), Sanford, N.C. (Spring Lane Cinemas), Mt. Airy, N.C. (Creekside Cinemas), and Aberdeen, N.C. (Town and Country Cinemas).
The Teays Valley ten-plex which lights up March 25 will "mirror" their theatres in Shallotte and Southern Pines, N.C. The new complex will have stadium seating, digital sound and high-back seats. He estimates the project cost as $7 million.
Unlike Marquee which has branched out as far as Texas, All Star's business plan sticks to the Eastern Seaboard. McCall indicated they target "secondary, under-served (or non-served) markets" including those which have "older" theatres, rather than stadium seating, digital sound, and full menus that the public now demands.
Brian McCall projects that the company will open additional North Carolina theatres in 2005, as well as acquire some through mergers and acquisitions.
Calling working in theatres "one of the most fun jobs at which you can make a living," McCall added, "It's an awesome career."
Asked how the All Star circuit stands out amongst other chains, the 37-year-old McCall said, "We build loyalty, we over service our customers, and we pay attention to the little things."
Competing with the home video and home theatre markets now requires more than simply a movie and popcorn. "We are an entertainment company that happens to be in the movie business — we sell popcorn, cheeseburgers and pizza, we have big seats, and big screens."
Brian McCall said that despite price increases movies remain the "favorite entertainment choice of America. You can not go to any other event — live theatre, concerts, etc. — for the cost of a movie ticket and popcorn."
All Star will also play product from Kindred Media, whose first film in distribution will be "Shade," featuring Jamie Foxx. Formed by Dani McCall (Brian's sister), her brother indicated that his circuit has played much more risky product than "Shade."
"We're playing something from Kindred that's not playing anywhere else," he said. Declaring himself an eternal optimist, he explained, "You gotta roll the dice. If you think small, you get small. We'll reach for the stars and see what happens."
The writer, Tony Rutherford, can be reached by email at .
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