AMC Closes Three Theaters to Transform Into Dining Cinema

by Alice Magdziak • August 11, 2010 • Entertainment, Newsy Jersey • Comments (0) • 1464

On Monday, the 9th, AMC closed down Essex Green Theaters in West Orange, the Menlo Park Mall Theaters in Edison and the Bridgewater Commons Theaters in Bridgewater. But, they aren’t closed for good.

Soon, they will be opening back up as examples of a “new” entertainment model that AMC is rolling out. I’m putting the “new” in quotes because it’s not actually new. I’ve lived in a few other states and both the DC suburbs in Maryland and Virginia and the great city of Chicago have theaters like this. It’s not even new to New Jersey which has the Dunellen Theater.

AMC already has a few of these theaters open in Atlanta and Kansas. Ticket prices are high but include a voucher for money off a menu item. So basically you need to eat something to get your money’s worth. For example, in Kansas City, tickets are $20 which includes the price of the movie and a $15 food voucher. Some of the menu items are:

potato skins ($7.99);
Parmesan fries ($6.59);
fried shrimp ($10.59);
flat bread pizza ($9.49);
mushroom baby swiss burger ($9.99);
New York Cheesecake ($5.59); and
Darkaiccino Chocolate Brownie ($6.29).

In the other Kansas theater tickets are only $12.50 which includes a $7.50 food voucher. But, come on NJ, you know we’re getting the expensive ticket prices.

With movie ticket prices moving toward $20 and sometimes even hitting the $20 mark already, this may not be such a bad price point once these new theaters are open. That is, of course, if they don’t bump the “Fork & Screen” prices up anymore.

NJ Theaters to Be Redesigned: NJ.com

AMC Essex Green Closes Monday to Transform Into Dining Cinema (Baristanet).