Long-Awaited Theater About To Open At McCandless Crossing

McCANDLESS (KDKA) -- The centerpiece of the McCandless Crossing development is about to lift its curtain.

Cinemark has pulled out the technological stops on this one.

"We've got the Barco projectors here, which is the brightest presentation in the industry," says Bryan Jeffries, the director of marketing for Cinemark.

Twelve theatres ranging from 99 seats to 299; that's 2,085 stadium seats in all. The theatre's pride and joy is the X-D theatre with its 70-foot screen.

"Which is the wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling screen," says Jeffries. "JBI has come in and custom fit the sound package for every one of these auditoriums."

Film is gone; movies at this theater come on hard drives.

With the touch of a screen, they are sent to the projectors. But the newest twist here meets you just inside the door. You can't miss the adult beverage area of the concessions.

"It's certainly not being seen as a bar where people will come on a Friday night and hang out; it's just one other option in taking a soft drink, or in this case, an alcoholic beverage to the auditorium," says Jeffries.

The beer, wine, and margaritas, and everything new will certainly differentiate this place from the old Rave property just up McKnight Road, but don't expect for the old theatre to go dark.

"Right now, movies are running the same at both locations," said Jeffries.

And will – a bit cheaper at Rave – until the property owner gets a buyer for the old showcase location. A sale that could be in limbo until the Walmart issue next door is resolved.

But back at McCandless Crossing, with Cinemark ready to roll, the rest of the development is flying out of the ground.

"Some of these will open before Christmas and some will open after the first of the year," says Kevin Dougherty, of Adventure Development.

Eight restaurants, Trader Joe's and lots of smaller shops are all opening before next summer.

While that is in the relative near future, the future is now for the theatre. They've held a friends and family night Wednesday, have a VIP event Thursday, and then Friday, they are open for business.

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