Movie theater reopens under new management

BANGOR – After being closed for about two weeks, a local discount movie complex once again is showing popular second-run films thanks to a change of management.

Movie City 8, formerly known as Movie City Cinemas, has become part of Russell’s Entertainment Complex on the Odlin Road under the ownership of Alex Gray, who also owns a popular Orono dance club, Ushuaia.

The move represented the third management change at the theater complex in the last two years. Gray, who purchased the building that houses the movie complex, a pool hall and sports lounge in July 2000, took over management of the theaters earlier this month.

After being closed for 13 days, the movie complex reopened Oct. 12, this time as Movie City 8.

“We want to make this a family fun center for residents of Bangor and surrounding areas,” said Movie City 8 manager Ben Gray, Alex’s brother.

While the complex was closed, the new management cleaned the theaters and upgraded some equipment. Ben Gray said the company also expects to repave the potholed parking lot within the next few weeks.”It’s going to be cleaner and in a lot better condition. We wanted a much cleaner environment,” said Ben Gray. “We’re working on the quality of the audio and video to get it to what we consider quality.”

Seats, seat covers and armrests were among a number of items that were replaced or refurbished. The lobby sports a new paint job and a concession stand with prices 20 to 25 percent lower than before. Ticket prices also have been cut – down to $2.50 per person from $3.

Movie City 8 also plans to schedule special features at the facility. One such event already is in the works for Halloween. On the haunted holiday, the theater and a local radio station will sponsor a costume contest and feature horror films on each screen, said Ben Gray.

Former manager Dawn Simpson has been brought in to help train new staff and make sure that the brothers’ expectations are met.

“This place will be near spotless before any [employees] leave at the end of the night,” said Simpson.

Simpson is the daughter of former owner and manager Don Simpson who opened the theaters in 1997.

Don Simpson transferred management of the theaters to Tim Hogan in September 1999. Hogan continued management of Movie City Cinemas until he transferred his rights to Emile Clavet and Kevin Dean of Provider Financial and Diamond Properties in July.

The pair ran Movie City Cinemas for about two months before the doors were closed unexpectedly earlier this month.

Don Simpson owned the building that housed the theaters and Miami North until he sold the facility and management of Miami North to Alex Gray. Miami North is now known as Russell’s under the new ownership.

Negotiations are under way with Don Simpson so that Movie City 8 can obtain ownership of the seats and projectors, which Simpson retained after sale of the building, according to Ben Gray.

An announcement is expected later in the week from Alex Gray regarding the naming of a parent corporation that will oversee Ushuaia, Russell’s and Movie City 8.