The Copperas Cove Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) and Copperas Cove Industrial Foundation have a surprise early holiday gift for the citizens of Copperas Cove. Today, CCEDC sold the 40,000 sq. ft. Speculative Building for use as a cinema eatery at a sales price of $1.5M to Jamie and Jeff Benson of Cinergy Cinemas, LP. The Speculative Building is located at 402 Constitution Drive, directly south of the Walmart Supercenter.
Regional State-of-the-Art Entertainment Facility to be Developed in Copperas Cove
The Bensons plan to construct eight stadium-style movie theatres along with a two-story laser tag arena, a large arcade with the latest video and redemption games, party rooms, a state-of-the-art kitchen and a concession stand. Total project cost is estimated at $7 million, with estimated annual taxable sales in excess of $3.5 million. The Bensons will hire more than 50 employees and plan to start construction shortly after the first of the year. The facility is expected to be open for business in summer 2009.
Chairman of the CCEDC Board of Directors Dan Yancey, said, "I am extremely pleased that we were able to locate such an experienced developer for this project. The quality of the product is something that will make Copperas Cove very, very proud. The citizens will find this to be a unique theatre concept that does not exist anywhere in Central Texas."
The Bensons are successful entrepreneurs who are founding their third theatre chain — Cinergy Cinemas. They started by constructing two traditional cinemas branded "Driftwood Theatres" in Granbury and Marble Falls, Texas, the first of which opened in 1999. They also founded the twelve-location Movie Tavern chain. The first Movie Tavern opened in Ft. Worth in 2001. In 2005, the Bensons entered into a joint venture with Lee Roy Mitchell, the founder and Chairman of Cinemark USA (NYSE: CNK), the third largest theatre chain in the U.S. with 4,400 screens. Under Jeff’s tenure as CEO, Movie Tavern became the largest and fastest growing operator of cinema eateries in the United States. The Bensons sold their interest in Movie Tavern in May 2008. Jeff is a board member of the National Association of Theatre Owners ("NATO") of Texas, as well as a board member of national NATO.
Jerry Conner, Executive Director, CCEDC said, "I am absolutely thrilled that we were able to recruit Jamie and Jeff Benson to invest in our community. In my opinion, they are going to make a tremendous business impact on Copperas Cove and be a positive force for entrepreneurship in the region."
Conner went on to say, "This exciting project has been a difficult six years in the making and it has been a trying period full of doubt and confusion. Its well-known that an economic development project takes three-to-five years to complete. We thank the citizens for supporting the EDC and now we all celebrate a great victory. Today shows a true commitment by the CCEDC Board and Staff to improve the quality of life in Copperas Cove by targeting entertainment-oriented business for recruitment to our community. This project is the successful culmination of our efforts and will spin off more entertainment, retail and restaurants to come to Copperas Cove."
Cinergy Cinemas will be a hybrid cinema eatery combining the amenities of stadium mega-plex theatres with the food and drink offerings of casual dining restaurants. Cinergy Cinemas in Copperas Cove will be the first of its kind featuring the following:
- 8 giant-sized theatres with two screens more than 50’ wide
- Approximately 1,250 total seats with auditorium capacities from 68 to 299 seats
- Stadium style seating with 16" tall risers
- Texas-sized legroom of 54" between rows for ultimate comfort
- High-back leather rocker chairs with loveseat lift-up armrests
- Menu consisting of homemade pizzas, toasted sandwiches, chicken fingers, wraps, appetizers, soft-serve ice cream, and a select variety of American fare all cooked to order and brought to your theatre
- Beer and wine for our over-21 year-old customers
- Traditional concessions such as popcorn, candy, and sodas will be available
- Free self-service refills on soft drinks
- Tray tables available at each theatre seat
- State-of-the-art projection technology and DTS Digital sound in all theatres
- A giant arcade and birthday party/meeting rooms
- A 3,350 square feet two-story Lasertron laser tag arena featuring stunning space-themed graphics
- A huge lobby featuring ten point-of-sale stations for extra fast service
- Granite concession counter, stained concrete floors, and custom tile work will adorn the lobby
- Vintage 1930s light fixtures throughout the facility with the centerpiece fixture being a stunning lobby chandelier from the Wilturn Theatre in Hollywood
- Digital projection capabilities in each theatre giving the ability to show PowerPoint, DVD, sporting events or computer images on the giant screens
- On-line ticketing
Cinergy Cinemas’ combination of first-run movies with food and drink will allow it to live up to its tag line "Eat, Drink, & Be Movied."
Also today, the Bensons purchased two adjoining acres from the Copperas Cove Industrial Foundation for future expansion of the facility and additional parking.
Jimmy Clark, President of the Copperas Cove Industrial Foundation said, "It’s been exciting to work with the Bensons to make all this become a reality. It speaks well for our Foundation members that planning was done years ago to have this property available for such a meaningful project."
Jeff Benson said, "It’s been a pleasure working with the Copperas Cove EDC, City of Copperas Cove and Council during the process of negotiations and the development of this project. I hope Copperas Cove recognized what an excellent group of professionals work at the Copperas Cove EDC. Their help in this project has been a major factor in Cinergy Cinemas locating in Copperas Cove. I’m delighted to bring my cinema-eatery concept to Copperas Cove and it will be the flagship facility in my new venture."