Hillsdale’s Premiere Theatre 7 on Carlton Road began remodeling on Sept. 16. Its goal: to have a completely revamped theatre by the release of Hunger Games: Catching Fire on Nov.22.
The remodel includes two phases. The first, which started on Sept. 16, includes replacing the seats in all seven theatres. After spending a day and a half on each theatre, five have already been completed. The second, beginning in the middle of October, will include completely renovating the lobby by updating the tile and paint, as well as a new ticket booth and concession stand.
Theatre Manager Sarrah Halstead said the renovation was initiated by its headquarters, the United Entertainment Corp., which is based in St. Cloud, Minn.
“It’s definitely time for the upgrade,” Halstead said. “It’s been chaotic, but it’ll be worth it.”
Halstead said this is the theatre’s first remodel in the 15 years she’s worked there.
Jessie Lynch, a three-year theatre employee, said that customers seem pleased with the new seats, which are larger, leather rocking seats that have moveable armrests.
“They are so much better,” Lynch said. “The old ones were really uncomfortable and they were getting kind of dirty.”
Lynch said she was most excited about the new concession stand.
“Everything that you see will be different,” Halstead said. “We’re completely gutting this one and the new one will have new glass, counters, everything.”
The theatre will still sell Coca-Cola products, but now they will be self-serve.
“It’s going to be a lot easier to get through the line when it’s busy,” Lynch said. “We’ll just hand them their cup and they’ll get to see all the options instead of us reading them off to them, and they’ll get it themselves.”
Lynch also said she’s happy she won’t have to deal with people interrupting the line for their free refill because they’ll have the ability to serve themselves.
During the first phase, the theatre managed to keep five out of seven screening rooms open. The second phase will probably cause them to close for a few days; however, Halstead said mid-October is the perfect time to have the upgrade.
“With fair week, football games, and pretty nice weather, September and October are normally our slowest months,” Halstead said. “I’d say November and December are the busiest.”
Volunteer as tribute to check out the Premiere Theatre’s new seats.
