BREAKING NEWS: Movies coming back to White Plains

A lease has been signed by Apple Cinemas to take space in the City Center in downtown White Plains formerly occupied by National Amusements’ Showcase Cinemas. Showcase had a 15-screen movie theater operation but closed in October of last year.

According to White Plains Mayor Tom Roach, Apple could be open as soon as next month. Apple Cinemas is not related to the computer company. It is based in Walpole and Cambridge, Massachusetts, and has 12 theaters in six states with more than 100 screens. The company was founded in 2010. It promotes itself as offering a wide range of films, from family entertainment to art house and foreign films.

“There had been substantial interest in the space so we were confident it would end up here,” Roach told the Business Journal when discussing Apple’s impending opening. “It was narrowed down to a few operators and they let me know that they had a contract. The company that’s coming in has already been in the property. We had buildings people going out with them to talk about changes they would want to make and be sure that we kept it moving.”

The Business Journal had learned last Sept. 7 that Showcase Cinemas had failed to come to a lease renewal agreement for its space at the City Center. It is not known whether the lease signed by Apple differs substantially from what had been offered to Showcase by City Center’s owner, Kite Realty Group.

“Showcase Cinemas is deeply committed to our U.S. theatrical exhibition business and we look forward to continuing to provide a superior movie-going experience to our loyal patrons at our Showcase Cinema de Lux Ridge Hill and Showcase Cinema de Lux Cross County, both in Yonkers,” Showcase said at the time of their closing.

The 15-screen theater was a major attraction when it opened in on June 25, 2005, and has been a focal point in the city’s downtown ever since. It opened with approximately 3,200 seats but the seating capacity was reduced over time as the theater installed wider, more luxurious seating. An IMAX auditorium was added where movies could be seen on an almost wall-to-wall, ceiling-to-floor screen.

The Business Journal learned that Kite Realty Group had negotiated with Showcase to purchase at least some of the theater furnishings and equipment to make it easier and faster for a new operator to open in the multiscreen complex.

Roach said that he has spoken to an executive at the company and they are very excited about coming to White Plains.

“We all love having a movie theater. We certainly learned that when Showcase left,” Roach said. “The way we keep movie theaters is by going to them. My encouragement to everyone is let’s get back to the movies. It’s great news and it’s exciting.”

Roach said that part of the calculus used when people are deciding whether to locate a business in White Plains is the strong presence of activity and that having movies makes the downtown a desirable destination.

Roach noted that seeing a movie on a large screen in a theater is different from watching a movie on your TV at home. In addition to the visual and audio experience, you avoid the interruptions that distract from following the plot.

“When you go to a theater to see a film you’re totally engaged and focused on the film,” Roach said. “I’m very excited about it and I’m looking forward to cutting the ribbon and everybody enjoying the movies again.”