A week of problems upon problems for Spring Lane Cinemas in Sanford has ended on an extremely positive note with a big announcement.
East Coast Entertainment — formerly All-Star Entertainment and former owner of the Sanford theater — reacquired Spring Lane from Frank Theaters this week. East Coast also owns Northgate 10 in Durham, according to Northgate’s website.
The news means significant (positive) changes for customers, according to Assistant Manager Jared Campbell, from facility improvements to significantly lowered prices for tickets and concessions.
“This is the best news we could have received for this place,” said Campbell, who’s been with Spring Lane for about seven years. “[The acquisition] has been a long process, but once it’s all said and done, it will be a significant change for the better for this town. I’m really excited about the future here.”
Campbell said new carpet and digital menu boards will be added in the coming weeks, and a needed paint job is on the way.
But the biggest change will be the lowered prices, which went into effect this week. Adult tickets have dropped from $11 to $9.50, and the new “Take 5 Tuesdays” will feature $5 tickets. A large popcorn will now cost you $7 (down from $10), and candy has dropped from $4 to $6 down to $2.50 to $3.50. Hot dogs are now $3.50 (formerly $6), and bottled water — the top seller, according to Campbell — is now $3.50 (down from $5.50).
The theater reopened on Friday after closing its doors Wednesday and Thursday because of a reported computer virus. The Pilot in Southern Pines reported in January that Frank Theaters filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December after losing more than $10 million in 2018.
According to Campbell, the theater will maintain regular hours as improvements are made.
Frank Theater would probably be there still of there prices were not outlandishly high I mean look 5.50 for a bottle of water I cant wait til the new takeover and owners be a great thing for Sanford going to the movies used to be a great thing until those prices so really cant wait for this to be totally redone THANK YOU new guys
Thank you i took my grandson back last summer ended up spending $40 before leaving. With lower prices may can afford to go more often
I don’t even go to the movie shows, but going to share this with my sons. They go Frank Theaters in Southern Pines which is awful with cleaning up after movies. Glad for the new ownership.
But still, $3.50 for a bottle of water that a case costs $4.00? I’d rather see the tickets prices stay
the same and make concessions reasonable and fair.
Movie theaters earn pennies on ticket sales. concession sales are the only way to stay open, that’s why all of your concessions cost so much and theaters crack down on outside food.
If he ticket sales and concession was even lower, more money will be made because attendance would be up
It would be nice to see some senior discounts. Tuesday prices are wonderful but seniors may want to go on the weekend with grandkids.
the town I grew up in, in ohio they had $5 movies with popcorn and soda at $1, $2 & $3 for small, med and large. I’m telling you, people could say how could they afford to stay in business, but let me tell you, they were ALWAYS packed!!! Cheaper prices will bring more people and more often.
Thank the heavens! Last time I went there, I spent about $90 for tix and snacks for 3 of us!
This will not only bring in/back more customers, it may help drive more traffic to the restaurants nearby.
Cheaper now to watch a movie on VUDU!!! Saves my family of 5 a great deal of money and I cook my own popcorn!!!
Interesting that the article states the following about the new admission prices: “But the biggest change will be the lowered prices, which went into effect this week. Adult tickets have dropped from $11 to $9.50, and the new “Take 5 Tuesdays” will feature $5 tickets.” My parents went to see a movie yesterday afternoon and were charged $7.50 each (not $5) as stated here.
So…any ideas about why this happened? False advertisement?