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March 25, 2005
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All Star Chain Opens First Cinema in WV in Putnam County
by Tony Rutherford
Huntington News Network Columnist
Huntington (HNN) – When Teays Valley Cinemas opens its doors Friday, March 25, 2005, the McCall family will have another location where they will be entertaining West Virginia.
Operated by All Star Cinemas of North Carolina, the firm is headed by Brian McCall, the younger brother of Curtis McCall, who is president and CEO of Marquee Cinemas, Beckley. Although Brian worked seven years with Marquee Cinemas learning the ins and outs of the business, he seized an opportunity to "step out on my own."
All Star looks for smaller of mid-size towns that have sub-standard, older and rundown theatres, McCall explained. "We come to raise the bar and give a nice quality facility and an outstanding movie experience."
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The ten-screen multiplex has the latest in state-of-the-art project and sound equipment, including Strong projectors, Crown amplifiers, and digital surround sound with sub woofers. The complex includes a small Cinema Caf‚ in the lobby for patrons to refresh themselves on hot snacks served at the theatre, such as burgers and wings. The complex has two party rooms each seating approximately 20 people. For those who like their popcorn with a unique flavor, All Star has nacho cheddar, ranch, parmesan & garlic and apple cinnamon seasonings from http://nomorenakedpopcorn.com Total seating capacity is 1,700 with the two larger stadium seating and ADA compliant auditoriums seat 300, while others seat 160 and 120 respectively. All seats are high back rocking chairs with pull-down cup holders.
At the preview night opening, McCall stayed busy with last minute tweaks, but he could not curtail his enthusiasm for both the new complex and the movie business. "People come for the experience and presentation. If you short people with that, it makes them stay home and watch it on video or [they] go to a competing theatre."
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Previously, Putnam County had a three-screen theatre at Putnam Village. Originally operated by Cinema Control from Charleston, W.Va., United Artists and a Lexington, Ky., company ran that theatre until permanently closing about a year ago. And, Putnam will apparently gain another multiplex as Great Escape plans a 12-screen complex at the Nitro Marketplace on June 28.
Despite competitive prospects, McCall indicated that "Summer looks really hot," he explained, relaying projections that Dreamworks' "Madagascar" will be as big as "Shrek. "Batman Begins," "Dukes of Hazard," "War of the Worlds" will be blockbusters. "With "Star Wars" leading the pack, we look for a heavy turn out and a lot of film choices."
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Asked if ten screens will be enough, McCall indicated that Teays Valley will often play 13 films at the theatre with kids' films showing in the afternoon and "more appropriate content at night. It's a good thing to have all those choices so we can hand pick what we bring in to entertain our patrons."
According to landowner Gary Young, the theatre has room to add an additional four screens and space exists for building restaurants nearby. To get to the theatre, you must go past the Scott Depot post office (near the Kroger/Kmart plaza) and turn into the Business Park. Expectations are that additional egress improvements will soon occur, including a red light, turning third lane, and an already under construction new I-64 interchange at U.S. 35.
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Meanwhile, McCall seems content with the initial ten auditoriums. "It gives you a lot of different demographics. You can bring people into your theatre whether it's an ethnic group or a Christian group." And, he will experiment with some smaller, non-mainstream film, too. "We're open 12-15 hours a day 365 days a year. This gives us alternative times to put some of those features and see what type of turn out you have."
Standing with his wife and mother nearby, Brian McCall counts the family blessings. "It's nice that my brother and my family can continue to build entertainment in the state of West Virginia. With Curtis' expansion and where we've gone in North Carolina, we're entertaining a lot of folks in the southeast. It's what we grew up in and what we love to do."
For showtimes and directions, visit: http://allstarcinemas.com/Teays.asp.
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Realated
02/17/05 – Teays Valley Cinemas Open March 25; Built by Brother of Pullman Square Multiplex Developer
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