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State-of-the-Art Carmike Cinema May Open on Chantilly Parkway in 2014

By Heather VacLav

Story Created: Feb 27, 2013

Story Updated: Feb 27, 2013

Montgomery may have a third movie theatre in 2014, Carmike Cinemas has plans to build a state of the art movie theatre on Chantilly Parkway.

An empty lot next to Home Depot is expected to be the future home for the Carmike Cinema. Until it's built, the city's newest movie theatre, the Rave, was bought a few months ago by AMC. However, some movie goers are concerned that the new theatre will pose as big competition for AMC, and potentially hurt the other Carmike Cinema at Eastdale Mall.

“This movie theatre its probably going to run into the ground,” Jawon Garrison of Montgomery said about Eastdale 8. “If they put it in Chantilly its probably going to be very good, I stay out that way and theres a lot of business out there.”

Carmike Cinemas says there have been no discussions about shutting down its Eastdale 8 location, but a representative says there are not plans to revamp the location either. It's something that concerns people who shop and work in the area, some believe the new theatre could affect the entire Eastdale Mall.

“When people come out here to see movies, especially people that come out during the early part of the day, they are going to walk through the mall and want to shop and buy things of that nature,” said Drey Wingate, who works at Hibett Sports at Eastdale. “So if it did shut down it would definitely have a negative affect.”

“People are going to still come here, but the new movie, everybody going to want to try it out, because its something new, everybody love new stuff,” said Dee Dashio of Montgomery.

Carmike says the 13-screen theatre would fit 2800 guests and boast Carmike's signature BigD auditorium, which has a 3 1/2 story screen and alone holds 600 guests. While it would change the theatre experience in Montgomery, people in town want to make sure it's the best thing for everyone in our community.

“If its for the betterment of the city as far as advancing is concerned, then I'm all for it,” Wingate said. “My biggest thing is to have a safe environment for the kids to come enjoy themselves when they're not in school.”

The process for the theatre is not complete, Thursday night at 5:30 p.m. the Montgomery Planning Commission meets to approve the development plan.

Carmike Cinemas expects the building to be completed in the first half of 2014. Next week, Carmike Cinemas is also opening a movie theatre like the one expected in Montgomery, in Decatur. Construction on a second theatre will begin this year in Opelika.

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