Another movie theater down.

[ComputerDude]

Turtle Creek theater is closing at the end of October. I'm interested to hear how that goes since Grand Theaters signed a seven year lease with the mall when they bought it.
I wonder what effect this will have on the restaraunts that are right around the theater in the mall.

[Mslady]

Wow! I guess The Grand is taking away too much business. I like having a theater in the mall. When it's cold or rainy you can go and shop , eat and see a movie without having to get out in the weather.

[jkspatty]

A mall without a movie theatre? That's strange.

[Guru]

I am betting someone else will pick this up.

[AdAstra]

That's not surprising to me. They always had the exact same movies that were playing at The Grand. I still hate it...

[ynotme297]

doesn't the grand own them both?

[ComputerDude]

doesn't the grand own them both?
Yes. And has several years left on their lease so it should be an interesting battle. Obviously the mall doesn't want them to close because it brings a LOT of business to the place.

[RGDoherty]

A mall without a movie theatre? That's strange.


I'm with you jks......I remember the Cloverleaf's theatre was still running after it wasn't a sure enough mall for a while wasn't it?

[ComputerDude]

I'm with you jks......I remember the Cloverleaf's theatre was still running after it wasn't a sure enough mall for a while wasn't it?
Yeah but that was the dollar theater, right? It was very run-down and nasty when they closed it.

[aaron]

I loved the Cloverleaf where you could go see a movie that had been out for 2-3 months for $2.

[RGDoherty]

Yes but it was still a theatre.......You damn near have to take out a loan to take the family to a movie and get snacks these days. So I liked the value too. Maybe the Grande should consider doing that with the Turtle Creek screens.

[jkspatty]

Yeah but that was the dollar theater, right? It was very run-down and nasty when they closed it.


It wasn't always run down and nasty. There was a time when the cloverleaf mall and the theatre were clean, safe, and fun. Back in the "old days".

[sackett22]

$1 theater time. Thats all we need.

[ComputerDude]

It wasn't always run down and nasty. There was a time when the cloverleaf mall and the theatre were clean, safe, and fun. Back in the "old days".No doubt. But it was certainly "let go" at some point because the last time we went in there, which was just a few months before it closed, the carpets were all worn out, there were holes in the walls, and the bathrooms were horrid.

[mac]

I doubt the Turtle Creek theatre will set empty for long. I've never seen one close and NOT be reopened as some version of a "dollar theatre" within a few months.

[Kitty]

I remember when Turtle Creek Mall (in general, not just the movie theater) was shiny and new.

I wish the TCM developers had gone with an open shopping design like Dogwood Festival Market in Flowood.

Enclosed shopping malls deteriorate over time, and they have a tendency to attract an unsavory element. It happened at Cloverleaf, and it's happening at Turtle Creek.

I don't think you see that type of loitering (which often leads to trouble) at an open shopping development.

[politically incorrect]

The Turtle Creek theater is still a nice place to see movies. I hate they are closing it. Yes, I like to go to the Grand for the stadium seating - no more tall people blocking my view! But, it is nice to be in the mall and decide to go in to see a movie after shopping. They need to show other movies, different from those on at the Grand. I guess there are not that many new movies released each month to fill up 27 screens (18 at the Grand, 9 at the Mall).

I can remember when Hattiesburg had only 2 movie screens in town, so I guess 18 will be enough. But, if they are going to do this, I hope the Grand will quit showing the new "blockbuster" movies on five or six screens at one time and make room for a wider selection. I hate calling the theater to see what's playing and find out Harry Potter is on six screens! Give me a break.

[politically incorrect]

I remember when Turtle Creek Mall (in general, not just the movie theater) was shiny and new.

I wish the TCM developers had gone with an open shopping design like Dogwood Festival Market in Flowood.

Enclosed shopping malls deteriorate over time, and they have a tendency to attract an unsavory element. It happened at Cloverleaf, and it's happening at Turtle Creek.

I don't think you see that type of loitering (which often leads to trouble) at an open shopping development.

I don't understand why mall management - at all malls, not just Turtle Creek - doesn't do a better job of keeping the place from becoming a hang-out for the unsavory types you mentioned. They have security patrolling the place - run the loiterers out! The teenagers who are obviously just hanging out and not shopping need to be told to move on. Those who wear gang affiliation symbols and colors should be shown the door. In some states this has happened. I don't want to see TCM become the next MetroCenter, where you don't feel safe walking in unless you are packing heat.

[petalgirl00]

I think they should do a dollar theater. I love going to the movies but too cheap to pay 50 bucks a pop when I can wait six months and buy the movie at Target for 10.

[politically incorrect]

I think they should do a dollar theater. I love going to the movies but too cheap to pay 50 bucks a pop when I can wait six months and buy the movie at Target for 10.

The theaters make most of their money from concessions, anyway. Make the price $2 or $3 to get in and then keep ripping us off on the larger coke for just a quarter more!

[fuzzis]

I don't know how many of those discount theaters are still in operation. I know they were big about a decade ago, but I think with the advent of quality home theater systems and relatively inexpensive DVDs, the demand for discount theaters kinda dried up.

[SoMissTV]

I would say that's an apt assessment.

[fuzzis]

I would say that's an apt assessment.

The time between theater release and home release has been reduced as well, hasn't it? Which would further impact.

[petalgirl00]

The theaters make most of their money from concessions, anyway. Make the price $2 or $3 to get in and then keep ripping us off on the larger coke for just a quarter more!

of which I get two sips because the boys hog it lol.

[SoMissTV]

The time between theater release and home release has been reduced as well, hasn't it? Which would further impact.

Dramatically so.

[Guru]

I am on the verge of challenging the local theatres with the "gotta buy their drink" thing. I have tormented them before but as far as I know there is no legal precident that makes me buy their drink for a theatre versus taking one from McDonalds in there, or StarBucks for that matter.
Once upon a time I did ask and they said they were afraid some people might be bringing alcoholic beverages in but that could be solved with a smell test usually.
I do know they are raping the public with the prices of their drinks and snacks.
Anybody in here working for the state Attorney General's office?

[Booshay]

If a bar, resturant or store can put up a "no outside food or drinks" sign, I dont see why it wouldnt work for a theater as well. I do think the concession stand goodies were overpriced for what you got though...good luck on your idea.

[SoMissTV]

As a private business, they can refuse service to any party.

[TheKing]

the grand is a much better theater and as far as driving time goes...its in the same place as TCM

ive complained about business cutting corners in the past and the effect it has on the consumers...

there was once a time where the TCM theater was the only real game in town so they cut corners like mad

then the grand opened up and it exposed the weaknesses, lack of service and investment that was put in the TCM

even though the grand has been cutting a couple corners here and there themselves, it was still enough to make sure i didn't go back to TCM

[Guru]

I know, my Master Plan to inject upheavel on the drinks and snacks is doomed but I like to think about it.
It just really really gets on my nerves that it's an example of blatant gouging of prices while standing by their policy that only theirs can be taken into a theatre. I just don't like to see anyone taken advantage of and the prices sure put a burden on young folks struggling financially already and the parents trying to get their kids in to see a movie and put a drink and a box of Whoppers or a bag of popcorn in their hands.

[Luvia]

Go with a woman with a big purse! ;)

We sometimes put drinks in my purse, but buy the movie popcorn. Sometimes we bring our own candy if we don't want popcorn. Not everytime, but sometimes--when money is tight, but we want to see a show.

[Kitty]

Go with a woman with a big purse! ;)

We sometimes put drinks in my purse, but buy the movie popcorn. Sometimes we bring our own candy if we don't want popcorn. Not everytime, but sometimes--when money is tight, but we want to see a show.

Years ago, at another theater in another town, I managed to put a pizza in my purse.

I was young and stupid. :kekeke:

[fuzzis]

At the theaters at home (NV), you can cart in whatever you want. No need to hide it. When I was home at Christmas, my friend Desi and I went to two movies and before each one, we stopped at Tony's Coney Island where Desi got a loaded Chicago style dog and we got drinks. Walked right in with the bag and no one said a word. :smt118

[RGDoherty]

I can remember when Hattiesburg had only 2 movie screens in town.


Hardy St. Cinema (Now Lazer Zone) where I saw my first movie, the Jungle Book, and the Avanti Theater across from Southern, now bare dirt, where I saw Jaws and Smokey and the Bandit.

But......Don't forget Beverly Drive in where I saw the towering inferno and it warped my fragile mine.

[Pirate_129]

My best friend and I went to see a movie our freshman year of high school. We had gone through the drive-thru window at Wards on the way and I had a strawberry sundae left when we arrived at Broadacres. I was going to throw the sundae away but my friend decided he would sneak it in the theater by sticking it down his sweatpants. Well, you see where this is going...while we were standing in line, I hear "oooooooooh" and look over to see strawberry sundae running out my friends pants leg and pooling at his feet. I enjoyed the movie, not sure about him. :smt118

[Guru]

Awww man! That's bad.

[fuzzis]

My best friend and I went to see a movie our freshman year of high school. We had gone through the drive-thru window at Wards on the way and I had a strawberry sundae left when we arrived at Broadacres. I was going to throw the sundae away but my friend decided he would sneak it in the theater by sticking it down his sweatpants. Well, you see where this is going...while we were standing in line, I hear "oooooooooh" and look over to see strawberry sundae running out my friends pants leg and pooling at his feet. I enjoyed the movie, not sure about him. :smt118

Who wants to eat a sundae when it's been...lounging...in a boy's sweatpants? :smt103

[countrygirl]

Hardy St. Cinema (Now Lazer Zone) where I saw my first movie, the Jungle Book, and the Avanti Theater across from Southern, now bare dirt, where I saw Jaws and Smokey and the Bandit.

But......Don't forget Beverly Drive in where I saw the towering inferno and it warped my fragile mine.
Before those two were the Saengar and the Rebel theater in downtown. Use to get in for 6 bottlecaps on Saturday Mornings. They always had a kids show.

[Hob684]

I don't understand why mall management - at all malls, not just Turtle Creek - doesn't do a better job of keeping the place from becoming a hang-out for the unsavory types you mentioned. They have security patrolling the place - run the loiterers out! The teenagers who are obviously just hanging out and not shopping need to be told to move on. Those who wear gang affiliation symbols and colors should be shown the door. In some states this has happened. I don't want to see TCM become the next MetroCenter, where you don't feel safe walking in unless you are packing heat.

TCM and Bonita Lakes Mall in Meridian are both owned by CDL. I don't know about TCM but BLM has a "Code of Conduct" which is pretty well enforced as far as gang apparel and blocking walkways..

http://www.bonitalakesmall.com/shop/bonita.nsf/BehavioralCodeofConduct.pdf

[Booshay]

Check out a new movie...take in your video camera, record it, make copies,sell them to your buddies...theres your fund for the high prices munchies. Not a bad deal provided you dont get caught, but then on the other hand, if you do get caught....youre screwed both figuratively and literally. See ya in 5-7 yrs. :smt118

[starstones]

Granted, I go to the The Grand out by the interstate, and I like that one a little bit better. I've never really been a big fan of the TCM theater due the lack of stadium seating and of promotions for movies. But I did enjoy the variety of shows that the occasionally had.

I wouldn't think that they would convert it into a dollar theatre... it'll be interesting to see what they use it for though.

[Astra]

I think the movie theater closing down might actually be GOOD for Turtle Creek Mall. You know why a lot of those kids people complain about are there? Because their parents dropped them off to see a movie and they are either killing time or they skipped it. It's a babysitter at this point. People who really want to go see a movie are going to go to the nice Grand down the road. The one at the mall is for kids and shoppers who decide to see a movie on a whim.

I certainly won't miss the jerks roaming the mall waiting for late shows to start as the rest of the stores close, harassing employees who are trying to shut things down for the night.

[Scarlett O'Hara]

showing my age, but I remember waiting in line to see The Exorcist on its first night at the Saenger.

[nthemedia]

The grand had always planned on closing the mall location ever since they bought it. It will be an arcade (lobby) and storage (the rest)

Malls themselves are dying. They are not cost effective for most renters. 10 years ago it cost $1600 a month for a kiosk. Imagine what it cost to have a store today.

Its cheaper to go to a strip mall or own your own building.

The best job I had was at that theater..

[ComputerDude]

I think the movie theater closing down might actually be GOOD for Turtle Creek Mall. You know why a lot of those kids people complain about are there? Because their parents dropped them off to see a movie and they are either killing time or they skipped it. It's a babysitter at this point. People who really want to go see a movie are going to go to the nice Grand down the road. The one at the mall is for kids and shoppers who decide to see a movie on a whim.

I certainly won't miss the jerks roaming the mall waiting for late shows to start as the rest of the stores close, harassing employees who are trying to shut things down for the night.Kids hanging out at malls, and older folk complaining about them is nothing new. I use to roam the malls when I was a teen for hours and hours myself.

[Astra]

Kids hanging out at malls, and older folk complaining about them is nothing new. I use to roam the malls when I was a teen for hours and hours myself.
I pretty much agree with you - I see a lot of kids who are at the mall all day and aren't a problem at all, but I've noticed the difference in who goes to the mall theater now that the new one is open. For a while I was working closing shifts all the time and the last few minutes my store was open were the times we had to deal with obnoxious kids and teens horsing around, yelling at us, and heckling security. They almost always had movie tickets in their hand or were discussing what they were about to see.

It would be nice to keep the theater going, but people don't want to pay the same price to go to the old theater in the mall when they could go to the nice one with cushy stadium seats. Walk-in traffic just doesn't keep movie theaters in business.