Thursday, June 07, 2007

Movie Tavern on Elizabeth

Lost in my pitiful mewling about the Whole Foods loss was the news of the really cool Movie Tavern, part of a 70,000-square-foot entertainment complex on Elizabeth Avenue. Movie Tavern "combines first-run movies with a casual dining menu offering a wide range of choices that include half-pound burgers, homemade pizzas, chicken sandwiches, wings and fries, appetizers, fresh salads, beer, wine, and mixed beverages," according to its Web site. We're talking six screens, first-run movies, "art house films" -- and a bar. I'm there. Anyone from Texas familiar with Movie Tavern? The Observer reports a late 2008 or early 2009 theater opening.

Developer Grubb Properties says after Movie Tavern, the rest of the $300 million development "is being designed for a collection of boutiques along Elizabeth Avenue, two terrace level restaurants overlooking a central plaza and a 15,000 square foot club." Sweet.

2 comments:

Aaron said...

The Movie Tavern will not really be showing any of your art house films. With so few screens they will only show the biggest titles and at that, they won't be in the theater for that long because they have to make room for the new movies. Every now and then they do get an art house film, but it won't be an "art house" like you might have been hoping. I worked for them for a few years and still jave a lot of friends in the company, so I have a pretty good idea how they have things planned and what they will be doing.

John McBride said...

Thanks for that clarification Aaron. Charlotte doesn't have a history of supporting art house films, so perhaps that's for the better. It's better for Elizabeth if Movie Tavern succeeds.