Update on Midway Mall 'Eat-In' Theater

[Dwayne Wilder]

Hurry Up and Wait!

Initial construction has begun at the former site of Movies 5 at Midway Mall to convert it into an 'eat-in' theater, according to Tabetha Snow, mall manager.

Since getting the construction permit in mid-June, workers have 'gutted' the place in preparation for work by a contractor, according to Snow.

"It is taking a lot longer to get a contractor than we expected," said Snow. "We are still working to get bids at this point."

In addition, mall management has changed its philosophy on the 'eat-in' theater, she noted. Once the theater opens, patrons will be allowed to bring in food from the mall's food court. Special trays will be available to allow the theater seats to add small tablet tops, she added.

Acknowledging the current lack of food court eateries, Snow announced that a new 'chicken wing' place would open in the court soon and negotiations for another food vendor was underway. The mall hopes to have several new vendors in place by the time the theater opens, Snow said.

Snow also said that mall management was more interested in a person or company 'leasing' the space from them to operate an eatery in the theater than attempting to operate an eatery themselves. The policy of allowing food from the mall's food court will stay into effect until an eatery is established in the theater or until the need for a change occurs.

With the prospect of the contractor process taking longer than previously thought and the 'eat-in' concept changing, the opening date will be later, but Snow had no new information. The initial August opening date will probably not happen, according to new estimates.

According to Snow, the overall process is more time-comsuming and complex than first thought.