Get ready for a whole new movie-going experience at Landmark Cinemas, located in Nanaimo’s Woodgrove Centre.
In approximately seven months, Landmark Cinemas has completed a major renovation of each of the theater’s eight auditoriums that will transform the movie-watching experience just in time for the summer blockbuster season.
Ryan Dion, vice president of operations at Landmark Cinema, and Mark Welton, president of IMAX Global Theaters, presented the updates to press on July 9.
Guests can now enjoy luxurious reclining seats with adjustable headrests and even privacy wings, private tables and coat hooks while viewing new IMAX laser-equipped screens that deliver exceptional picture quality, increased brightness, enhanced contrast and sound with immersive precision.
“This renovation reflects our ongoing commitment to providing movie lovers with the best possible movie theater experience,” said Dave Cohen, president of Landmark Cinemas.
“We are thrilled to officially unveil the completed transformation of Landmark Cinemas Nanaimo. Each theater has been carefully upgraded to provide exceptional comfort, premium presentation and an unforgettable experience that makes watching a movie at the cinema truly special.”
The renovation marks another milestone in Landmark Cinemas’ ongoing investment in premium entertainment experiences across Canada by combining state-of-the-art presentation technology with enhanced guest amenities, the release said.
“The completion of the renovation comes as audiences prepare for a summer lineup of highly anticipated theatrical releases, giving moviegoers in Central and North Vancouver access to a completely renovated Landmark Cinema,” the release said.
As for the total cost of upgrading the Landmark Cinemas at Woodgrove Center, Dion said it was in the “several millions.”
He said ticket prices to watch a film in the upgraded theaters will remain competitive with other venues in the industry.
“We want our ticket prices to be affordable to as many people as possible,” Dion said.
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Cedar-based COCO Café has opened its second location at the Hullo Ferries terminal in Nanaimo.
Known for its homemade breakfasts, lunches and baked goods, the cafe has received the Nanaimo News Bulletin’s “Best Community Business” award for many years for empowering people with developmental disabilities through meaningful employment, training and socialization.
In a Facebook post, the cafe said it is excited to celebrate the incredible milestone of opening its second location with its amazing staff, community partners, supporters, volunteers and friends who helped make this dream a reality.
“This isn’t just about opening a second location, it opens up more employment opportunities for people with different abilities, a more inclusive workplace and the opportunity to introduce COCO’s mission to the thousands of new people who travel through our community every week,” the cafe said.
“Every coffee poured, every sandwich served and every purchase made helps create meaningful employment, build trust and open doors for people who too often face barriers to opportunity. To everyone who has supported us along the way, thank you. If you’re traveling with Hullo Ferries this summer, be sure to stop by and say hello. We’d love to see you.”
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The Nanaimo Community Hospice Thrift Store is moving to a new location just across the parking lot from its current location in the Bowen Center, located at 1925 Bowen Rd.
Assistant manager Lisa Floyd said Kirby’s Source for Sports has moved from the Bowen Center to a new location at 1870 East Wellington Rd., which will be filled by NCHTS.
“This place is about 1000 square meters. feet more than our current space, and we definitely need more room,” she said.
“We have a lot of support from the community, so we’re doing well.”
NCHTS sells donated clothing, jewelry, books, home goods and furniture, and 100 per cent of the store’s profits go directly to the Nanaimo Community Hospice Society, which provides compassionate end-of-life care and bereavement programs.
Floyd said NCHTS will be closed from July 16 to 20 while it moves to its new location and will reopen on Tuesday, July 21.
She said while donations were accepted in front of the old Bowen Center location, they will be accepted in the back of the store at the new location.
“Donations should be dropped off at the back of the store in the alley between Bowen Center and Country Grocer, accessible from Bowen Road,” Floyd said.
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Nana Sushi is still closed after a car crashed through the restaurant’s window on May 18.
In a recent Facebook post to her many customers, owner Agnes Kim said renovations to the restaurant, located on Victoria Crescent in downtown Nanaimo, are still not complete.
She said she, her family and employees are working hard to reopen Nana Sushi as soon as possible.
“We’re also putting the finishing touches on some exciting new menu items and I can’t wait to share them with you,” she said.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your patience, support and for all the love you continue to show Nana Sushi during this difficult time. We will be back stronger than ever and look forward to welcoming you back very soon. In the meantime, please wait a little longer.”
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In other local restaurant news, the Nanaimo MGM restaurant located at 240 Nicole Street has reopened after a week’s closure.
The family-owned restaurant, known for its all-day homemade breakfast and lunch and dinner menus, closed its doors for the first time in 42 years of business from July 6 to 14 to allow family members to attend a wedding.
“We thank you all for your continued support and apologize for any inconvenience,” the restaurant said in a Facebook post.