Sun staff
A new cinema complex opened Dec. 16 in Eastgate with some features that go beyond the big screen.
Eastgate Brew & View, which was built on the former Danbarry cinema site in the Jungle Jim’s International Market shopping complex, opened with a full menu of fare, beer and new films, including “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
“Thank you all for coming, it’s been a long process to get this off the ground,” said Gary Goldman, president of Theatre Management Corporation, during a ribbon cutting ceremony which marked the opening.
Union Township Trustee John McGraw praised the TMC team for a job well done.
“If you had seen this building before they started, you wouldn’t recognize that this is the same building,” McGraw said. “It’s just gorgeous, the job they did here.”
The 33,000-square foot cinema, which will show first-run movies, features eight auditoriums, each with between 120 and 160 seats, all equipped with desk-like tables for viewers to eat on.
Moviegoers are invited to order and enjoy, directly from the comfort of their seats, any number of items listed on the cinema’s full menu of food and drinks, including cocktails and local craft beer.
“Thirty-two beers on tap; you can’t beat that,” McGraw said. “There will probably be a lot more dads coming to the movie theatre.”
He added, “I know I’ll be one of them myself.”
Each table features a light emitting diode placed under the table, for discreet menu browsing. When viewers are ready to place their order, they will place their completed form in the designated slot, and a server will take their order, a process intended to reduce interruptions during screenings.
Tickets, which cost $7.50 for matinees and $10.50 for evenings, may be purchased at the box office or online. Additional ticket and concession discounts are available.
Moviegoers will be directed to select an assigned seat during the time of ticket purchase.
The cinema complex also features a lounge area where patrons can order refreshments. In warmer weather, outdoor seating will be available for dining al fresco.
Clermont Chamber President/CEO Matt Van Sant congratulated Goldman on the opening.
McGraw spoke about the amount of quality the Theatre Management Corporation brings to the new cinema.
“To have this group come to Union Township is a huge step forward for us,” McGraw said. “We’re very proud to have them.”
McGraw thanked all the local business people in the audience.
“There’s no doubt that the rising tide brings up all the ships, and this is definitely the case” McGraw said. “When a new business comes in, it helps out all the other businesses.”
He said he wants the township to be a point of destination, not just a place where people buy groceries.
“We want people to come here for entertainment too,” McGraw said. “To have an entertainment district, you’ve got to have entertainment, so this is a huge step forward for us.”
He added, “We’re very, very excited.”
The Eastgate Brew & View is located at 4450 Eastgate Square Drive. For more information, visit the Eastgate Brew & View website at www.egbrewview.com.