Arkansas Business

According to Market Street Cinema owner Matt Smith, the cinema's operations will soon be moving to Riverdale 10 on Cantrell Road.

The official open date at Riverdale is dependent upon the installation of a few upgrades, but Smith says he hopes to have a few theaters open June 6, and the all 10 screens running by June 13. The Market Street Cinema will remain open until operations are moved to Riverdale, located at 2600 Cantrell Road.

Some of those upgrades include a switch to Barco digital projectors and Dolby digital surround sound. When the Riverdale closed in December, it still used 35mm film and analog sound, Smith said.

At Riverdale, patrons will have the option of seeing "first-run Hollywood films" or independent, foreign, art and documentary films that Market Street patrons have become accustomed to, Smith said.

Other upgrades include new concession stand equipment and replacing some of the facility's carpet, paint and tile, in addition to a few theater seats.

Smith was not specific on dollar amount of the renovations, but said it was "extremely expensive."

Smith said the move was important to allow for more options and space at Riverdale that were not available at Market Street. By comparison, Smith says the five-screen Market Street space is "less than half" the size of the 10-screen, 35,000-SF area at Riverdale 10.

"I can reach the vision I had when I originally opened Market Street Cinema," Smith said. "We need more screens and movie options to do that."

Once the Riverdale location is "up-and-running," Smith plans to apply for an alcohol license, which he has at Market Street. If the license is approved, Smith said the cinema would look at an extended food and drink menu that include food items like cheesecake, carrot cake, and grilled chicken and fish.

Smith's plans don't stop at the Riverdale operation. Also once things are up-and-going on Cantrell Road, Smith has plans to reopen Market Street Cinema, after a refurbish, as a "bargain discount theater." 

Smith said he's already spoke with officials at the Market Street Shopping Center and will continue those talks after the move to Riverdale.