Main Street Movies 5 to open in 2016 at Newark Shopping Center

Newark, Del. —  Main Street Movies 5 will open a five-screen, state-of-the-art movie theater with reserved, reclining seats and refreshments from local vendors at the Newark Shopping Center in August. The new theater will replace the shuttered Newark Cinema Center, which operated from the early 1960’s through Oct. 2015.

Main Street Movies 5 has signed an 18,000 square foot lease with Atlantic Realty Companies of Tysons, VA, which acquired the Newark Shopping Center four years ago in partnership with New York City-based Angelo, Gordon & Co. Main Street will invest $3 million in a full-scale renovation of the old theater including expansion into adjacent space. The work is scheduled to begin in February 2016, without affecting operation of the rest of the shopping center.

In addition to offering recliner seats and reserved seating, the new theater will offer a full bar, a 50-foot screen, self-serve ticketing, and a wide variety of grab-and-go concession offerings.

“We believe in being part of the community,” said Rick Roman, principal of Main Street Movies 5. “In addition to the typical movie theater fare, we plan to sell locally made refreshments including pizza, cookies, and ice cream.”

“We are excited to bring a new, modern movie theater to Newark Shopping Center, the second oldest shopping center in Delaware,” said Atlantic Realty President David Ross. “Along with our partners at Angelo, Gordon, we are happy to be able to maintain this amenity for the City of Newark. Having a theater operated by professionals who are community-oriented will go a long way toward ensuring a successful operation.”

In late 2015, Atlantic Realty completed a $10 million renovation of the 61-year-old Newark Shopping Center.  It is home to Newark Natural Foods, PNC Bank, Rita’s Italian Ice, Dollar Tree, Mediterranean Grill, Zahra International Foods, Mayflower Japanese Restaurant, Churrascaria Saudades Brazilian Steakhouse, Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, Sports Clips, Big Z Pizza, and other retailers.  Two long standing tenants also remain at the center:  Hair Design by Anthony and the only remaining original tenant from 1955, Minster’s Jewelers.

Newark Shopping Center was developed originally by Pomeroy Realty, Inc. at a cost of $1 million. The original tenant roster included Acme Super Market, Newark Department Store, F.W. Woolworth, Sun-Ray Drug Store, Miles Shoes, Liedemann’s Bakery, and J. J. Minster and Son.