Get ready for a whole new movie-viewing experience at Landmark Cinemas, located at Woodgrove Centre in Nanaimo.
After approximately seven months, Landmark Cinemas has completed major renovations to each of the theatre’s eight theatre auditoriums that will transform movie-watching just in time for the summer-blockbuster season.
Ryan Dion, Landmark Cinema’s vice-president of operations, and Mark Welton, president of IMAX Global Theatres, presented the upgrades to the press on July 9.
Guests can now enjoy luxury recliner seating that have adjustable headrests, and even privacy wings, personal tables and coat hooks, while viewing new screens that provide IMAX with Laser which delivers extraordinary image quality, increased brightness, enhanced contrast and immersive-precision audio.
“This renovation represents our ongoing commitment to giving movie lovers the very best theatrical movie-going experience possible,” said Dave Cohen, president of Landmark Cinemas.
“We’re thrilled to officially unveil the completed transformation of Landmark Cinemas Nanaimo. Every auditorium has been thoughtfully upgraded to deliver exceptional comfort, premium presentation and the kind of unforgettable experience that makes seeing a movie in theatres truly special.”
A press release said the renovation marks another milestone in Landmark Cinemas’ continued investment in premium entertainment experiences across Canada by combining state-of-the-art presentation technology with enhanced-guest comfort.
“The completion of the renovation comes as audiences prepare for a summer lineup of highly anticipated theatrical releases, giving moviegoers across Central and Northern Vancouver Island access to Landmark’s fully upgraded movie experience,” the release said.
As for the total cost of the upgrades at the Landmark Cinemas at the Woodgrove Centre, Dion said it was “several million.”
He said the price of the tickets to view a movie in the upgraded theatres will continue to be competitive with other venues in the industry.
“We want to keep our ticket prices within the reach of as many people as possible,” Dion said.
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Cedar-based COCO Café has opened its second location at the Hullo Ferries ferry terminal in Nanaimo.
The café, known for its house-made breakfasts, lunches, and baked goods, has won the Nanaimo News Bulletin’s “Best Community-Minded Business” award for numerous years for its empowerment of people with developmental disabilities through meaningful employment, training, and socialization.
In a Facebook post, the café said it’s excited to celebrate the incredible milestone of opening its second location alongside its amazing staff, community partners, supporters, volunteers, and friends who have helped make this dream a reality.
“This isn’t just the opening of a second location, it represents more employment opportunities for people with diverse abilities, more inclusive workplaces, and the chance to introduce COCO’s mission to thousands of new people travelling through our community each week,” the café said.
“Every coffee poured, every sandwich served, and every purchase made helps create meaningful employment, build confidence, and open doors for individuals who too often face barriers to opportunity. To everyone who has supported us along the way, thank you. If you’re travelling with Hullo Ferries this summer, be sure to stop by and say hello. We’d love to see you.”
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The Nanaimo Community Hospice Thrift Shoppe is moving to a new location right across the parking lot from its current site in the Bowen Centre, located at 1925 Bowen Rd.
Assistant manager Lisa Floyd said Kirby’s Source for Sports has moved from the Bowen Centre to a new location at 1870 East Wellington Rd., and the NCHTS is taking over the space.
“It’s about 1,000 sq. ft. larger than our current location, and we certainly need the extra room,” she said.
“We have great support from the community, so we’re doing well.”
The NCHTS sells donated clothing, jewelry, books, household goods and furniture, and 100 per cent of the shop’s profits go directly to the Nanaimo Community Hospice Society which provides compassionate end-of-life care and bereavement programs.
Floyd said the NCHTS will be closed from July 16-20 while it moves into the new location, and will reopen on Tuesday, July 21.
She said that while donations were accepted in front of the old location in the Bowen Centre, they will be accepted in the back of the shop at the new site.
“Donations are to be dropped off at the rear of the shop in the alley between the Bowen Centre and Country Grocer, which can be accessed from Bowen Road,” Floyd said.
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Nana Sushi is still closed after a car careened through the front window of the restaurant on May 18.
In a recent Facebook post to her many customers, owner Agnes Kim said repairs at the restaurant, located on Victoria Crescent in downtown Nanaimo, are still not complete.
She said she and her family and staff are working hard to reopen Nana Sushi as soon as possible.
“We are also putting the finishing touches on some exciting new menu items, and I can’t wait to share them with you,” she said.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your patience, your support, and for all the love you continue to show Nana Sushi during this difficult time. We will be back stronger than ever, and we look forward to welcoming you again very soon. Until then, please wait just a little longer.”
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In other local eatery news, Nanaimo’s MGM Restaurant, located at 240 Nicol St., has reopened after a week-long break.
The family-run restaurant, known for its home-cooked all-day breakfast as well as its lunch and dinner menus, shut its doors for the first time in its 42 years in business from July 6-14 so family members could participate in a wedding.
“We thank you all for your continued support and apologize for any convenience,” the restaurant said in a Facebook post.
