Lucas Cinemas 4 opened to the public on Thursday with a line up of movies that include Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Instant Family and The Grinch with Ralph Breaks the Internet expected to begin showing on Tuesday.
At 5 p.m. on Thursday, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held on the steps inside the atrium just outside the theaters. From 5-7 p.m., guests were given free popcorn and drinks and offered the opportunity to try out the new seating and tour the theater building.
The theater closed down earlier this year in order to renovate the building.
On Thursday, the new owner, Jim Lucas, who is based in Alabama, talked about the changes made to the theater.
“There’s a lot of changes,” he said. “We gutted the entire theater and replaced it. There are new bathrooms, wall treatments, floor treatments, we have a new concession area, popper, drink equipment, screens and a new sound system. The surround system is 7.1 and it previously didn’t even have stereo.”
According to Lucas, the screens are 45 percent larger and the seats have been replaced in each of the theaters. The black leather seats have a semi-recline to them.
“There are many other internal things that have happened,” he said. “But, it’s a new theater. I think it’s fantastic and the turnout from the public has been amazing. The community seems happy and I think it’s going to do well.”
Mason County resident Chris Myrick said he was enjoying what he saw of the theater on Thursday.
“Being that I’ve grown up here — lived here all my life — I think it’s an amazing thing,” he said. “The upgrades to the theater are fantastic. The owner is a great person and he cares about the theater.”
Myrick said he was sticking around on Thursday to watch Instant Family.
“We’re going to watch a movie tonight, but the seats are so comfortable, I hope I don’t fall asleep in them.”
Bracken County resident Monica Hopkins was at the theater with her grandchildren, Lane and Kate Davenport.
“It’s great,” she said. “The seats are nice and comfortable.”
Lane Davenport, while munching on popcorn, said he also liked the theater.
“It’s really nice,” he said. “I like it a lot. The seats are comfortable.”
Kate Davenport said she was excited to watch a movie in the theater.
“I really like it,” she said. “We’re coming back to watch The Grinch. I’m excited.”
Maysville Mayor David Cartmell said he was happy to have a theater back in Maysville.
“It’s like we came into the 21st century,” he said. “We have semi-reclining seats. It’s like walking into a whole new theater. They’re really going to spruce up that center out there. I’m happy about that. It’s the Gateway town essentially. Anything they can do to help that space. The folks who are doing it are really hands-on type owners. They’re not that far away-they’re in Alabama, so it’s a win-win for everyone.”
The movie theater began playing a full set of movies, with matinees and evening shows on Friday. The cost is $8 for adults, $4.50 for children and seniors after 5 p.m. Matinee prices, before 5 p.m., are $4 each. The theater also offers a military discount.
