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By Emily Hone BLACKFOOT — It’s been a trying summer for Plaza Twin Theaters owner Mark May as he and his customers struggled with debris, scaffolding and a construction crew while the Woodbury Corporation renovated the building along with others in the Riverside Plaza, but he says the outside work is about finished.
 Morning News - Emily Hone
Plaza Twin Theaters owner Mark May stands behind the concessions counter in the newly painted lobby of the theaters. His business has been hampered this summer by new facade and roofing work being carried out by Woodbury Corporation, but May wants the public to know he’s also renovating the inside and is still open for business.
And when he gets through renovating the inside, moviegoers will have a like-new theater inside and out.
In addition to the construction mess, there was no marquee to tell people what was playing at the theaters, May said. “Seeing all of the construction and no lights or marquee, I know a lot of people thought we were closed, but a few of them came anyway to find out. It was fortunate we have a rear door as well as a front door, and they were good enough to use it.”
May said the finishing touches are all that remains of the outdoor remodel effort, and by mid-October the theater’s name and marquee will be installed on the sign post that holds the Checker Auto and Honk’s signs on the east side of the Plaza. In the meantime a portable marquee that lights up at night is sitting under the place on the theaters where the old marquee was.
“This is the only visible sign we have with the movies listed for public display,” May says, “but I’m waiting for bids to come in on a new marquee that will go over the theater entrance.”
May said after buying the theaters last February he had to lay off help and become the manager to keep them open. He used the money saved to improve the interior by repainting the lobby in brighter more inviting colors, repairing or removing broken seats, fixing leaking faucets and replacing broken toilets, he said.
Now it’s fall, May said, a normally slow time for movie theaters and he will begin the second phase of his renovation project financed by a loan. When all of the work is completed, moviegoers will find themselves in a whole new surrounding.
It will include newer, more plush and comfortable seating in the auditoriums. The seats will be two inches wider than the old ones and have cup holders, and the numbers in each of the theaters will be reduced from 220 to about 190 to provide expanded leg room. Space is being added so that guests in wheel chairs will have more comfortable parking.
May said the auditorium floors will be resurfaced, new carpeting installed, and each auditorium will have a 14 speaker stereo surround sound system that will boost the movie going experience, he said.
“All we have now is mono sound, and I know many people pass us by to go to Idaho Falls and Pocatello because of that.”
New projectors will give crisper and sharper images on the screen, and Theater Two will get a new screen, he said. A new drinking fountain is being installed in the lobby and new concession stand items are offered.
“With all the amenities, we hope Bingham County residents will choose to spend their entertainment dollars here at the Plaza Twin Theaters versus our competitors in Idaho Falls and Pocatello,” May said.
“Our movies ticket prices are still the lowest in Idaho and Utah for first run movies, and our concession prices are the lowest as well.”
May said the theaters offer group rates for 10 or more people as well as special showings. Corporate bulk purchases for employee incentives are also available.
Color schemes in the auditorium will change a bit as well, May said, and he is looking at installing a lighting system of a type that will allow businesses to hold meetings or conferences there.
He said the theaters, or a classroom space next door, can be rented for training seminars, company meetings, conventions, clubs/group activity, parties, senior all-nighters and similar uses.
They also have classroom type facilities available for group meetings up to 50, classrooms up to 30, birthday parties, sporting event (Monday night football), smaller group meetings, civic activities, business seminars, and more. Call for pricing and availability.
Movies are shown at the Plaza Twin Thursday through Friday at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. with a Saturday matinee at 3 p.m. Admission is $6.50 for adults, and $5.50 for children, senior citizens ad military members.
The theater is closed Sundays.
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