Magic Johnson Theatres

Magic Johnson Theatres is a chain of movie theaters, originally developed in 1994 by Johnson Development Corporation, the business holding of basketball player-turned-entrepreneur Magic Johnson, and Sony Pictures Entertainment through a partnership with Sony-Loews Theatres. [1][2]

A 1998 merger between Sony-Loews and Cineplex Odeon Corporation caused them to become part of the new Loews Cineplex Entertainment Corp. Currently the chain's former locations are owned by AMC Theatres, after Sony-Loews was acquired by that company in 2006.[3] Although they are still branded Magic Johnson Theatres, they are solely controlled by AMC.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Jr., is no longer actively involved in the management committee, strategic planning, operations, or public relations.

History

The focus of Magic Theatres was to build first-rate multiplexes in urban communities, bringing high quality facilities and technology, as well as job development, encouraging local economic growth. While Magic Theatres are patterned after the Loews Cineplex Entertainment model, they focus on urban markets. Each complex is around 60,000 square feet (5,600 m2) with multiple concession areas, 10 to 15 screens with SDDS stereo sound, stadium seating and a capacity of 3,200 to 5,000. After building the Magic Theatre in Harlem, multiple businesses followed suit including Old Navy, Disney, and HMV.

There are/were two multiplex theatres in, or near, major cities of the United States of America, namely in areas which are predominantly African-American and previously were underserved by modern cineplexes.

Los Angeles multiplex

The venture dates back to 1995, when the Magic Johnson Crenshaw 15 opened in the Crenshaw district of South Los Angeles, in Los Angeles, southern California.

It was the first multiplex opened, and was closed in 2010.[4] It was renovated and reopened as the Rave Cinemas Baldwin Hills 15 by the Rave Cinemas chain in 2011.[5] It is now owned by Cinemark Theatres, and is renamed the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza 15 and XD. [6]

Other multiplexes

The only multiplex that was opened during the partnership with Magic Johnson, and is still operating, is the AMC Magic Johnson Harlem 9 in Harlem, New York City. [7]

The Randall Park 12 in Cleveland, Ohio; Northline 12 in Houston, Texas; and Greenbriar 12 in Atlanta, Georgia — were all closed by AMC due to lack of profitability.

The Magic Theatres Cap Center 12 in Largo, Maryland is still open and operated by AMC Theatres. The Cap Center 12 was the first multiplex opened that was not a partnership with Magic Johnson. Loews Cineplex Entertainment had used the Magic Theatres name only to brand the location.

See also

References

External links

Magic Johnson Enterprises website


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