TACOMA, WA -- The 9-screen Century Point Ruston and XD Theatre will open officially on Thursday. The theater features wall-to-wall screens and luxury recliners in every auditorium, but the grand jewel is the XD screen. The Tacoma-based theater's XD screen is one out of 120 like it in the chain. Overall the Cinemark, the ownership group, has 4,489 screens across 41 states.
On Tuesday morning, the theater was still a construction zone, with workers putting the final touches on the brand-new theater. Marketing director Bryan Jeffries said it's amazing to see how fast workers get the theater ready by the opening. Right now, he said, everything is cosmetic touches.
The XD theater is the big draw for movie buffs, and with the holiday season approaching with big blockbusters like Star Wars, the theater is ready for crowds, Jeffries said. Everything will kick off with the release of the highly anticipated final installment of the Hunger Games series, Mockingjay Part 2.
The XD auditorium features state-of-the-art screening and sound as well as comfortable seating.
"Everything about the XD is about the entire experience," Jeffries said. "You leave the theater always talking about the sound and the other (features)."
Tickets are available three ways: at the box office, online and at kiosks at the theater. Jeffries said the classic box office is still there, but it's important to offer online tickets in an increasingly digital world.
"That's just how the majority of people are accessing their tickets these days," he said.
Also in the lobby is a large selection of concessions including the most Northwest concession of all: Starbucks coffee. In the corner is a café serving ice cream and cookies.
"Customers come to expect more than just popcorn," he said.
The Tacoma location, at 5057 Main Street, is the latest expansion of Cinemark's Century brand, but viewers will recognize the brand based on outlets in Olympia and Federal Way. Cinemark, based in Dallas, acquired the Century brand of theaters in 2006.
Point Ruston has been under construction since 2006. The 97- acre complex is split between Tacoma and Ruston. It is built on the former Asarco site after millions of dollars were spent on a clean up effort. The Century Theater is one of the first businesses to open, with many restaurants already open or coming soon, such as:
- Wild Fin American Grill
- Mio Sushi
- Vera's Burger Shack
- Two Town Café
- Dulce Si Italian Bakery and Café
- Jewel Box Café
More information on both the Century theater and Point Ruston is available online.
This content appears on king5.com courtesy Media Partner South Sound Magazine.
