Emagine Theatre Experiencing Strong Sales Since Opening

After several weeks in business, the complex is pleased to say it is seeing return visitors as well as new attendees daily to the facility's and Star Lanes.

According Ruth Daniels, vice president of sales, Emagine Entertainment couldn’t be happier with how business has been. Over Memorial Day weekend, there was a wait for both the restaurant and bowling alleys, and many movies were sold out. Among the popular movies, The Hangover Part II and Bridesmaids were at the top of the list. Daniels expects the complex to thrive even more during the summer.

“Movies are at capacity, we’re booking a lot of special events — everything has been going really well,” Daniels said.

First-timers are still bustling through the door, eager to see what the huge facility has to offer.

“I think it’s very nice,” Jasmine Matthews of Warren said. “It’s very nice and comfortable with a good atmosphere.” Matthews works in Royal Oak and attended a movie at the complex for the first time last week.

Royal Oak resident Pam Robbins, 63, also visiting for the first time, noted that the facility was attractive and stated that she is happy to have the complex in the downtown area.

Jill Carlan, 24, of Royal Oak said she was thrilled to see the movie theater built. Now that she has been to Entertainment a couple of times, she described it as a luxurious, cool place to hang out. She said she likes that it sits right behind Main Art Theatre because it counteracts the artsy theater feel — however, she said, she wouldn’t want to see Main Art’s business taper off.

Carlan and Robbins said they hadn’t encountered any trouble with parking, though it was a hot topic for Royal Oak residents prior to the complex being built. Daniels and City Commissioner David Poulton said the issue hasn't been a problem.

“I haven’t heard a squeak about parking,” Daniels said.

Similarly, Poulton said that although there have been a few minor complaints about the Emagine complex, parking has not been one of them. The complaints have had to do with delivery trucks and garbage and have either been resolved or are being corrected, Poulton said.

He also noted that he has passed by Emagine during weekends and has not seen any trouble.

“As with anything new, it’s just a work in progress; there are going to be minor issues,” Poulton said. “We just resolve them and move forward.”

In spite of the small complaints, Poulton said that on a larger scale, he has received positive feedback and that many residents said they enjoy the entertainment venue.

“Everyone’s I’ve talked to have enjoyed themselves and think it’s a wonderful place,” Poulton said. “At the end of the day, I think having it works out best for the city.”