Ocean City's new movie theater on track for May opening
Meg RyanOcean City, rejoice: the new movie theater in the White Marlin Mall is close to opening.
Flagship Premium Cinemas is aiming to open its newest location in West Ocean City this May, said Paul Wenger, company president.
The theater, located in the White Marlin Mall at 12641 Ocean Gateway, is taking over the previous Michaels art supply store.
Once the theater opens, customers can enjoy a movie going experience unlike any other offered in the Ocean City area with luxurious seating, a light fare food menu and a bar serving beer and wine.
However, an exact date customers can start buying their tickets is yet to be determined as Flagship puts the finishing touches on its new location.
“There’s really no absolute date at this point,” Wenger said.
The Massachusetts-based company already has three locations on Delmarva: Easton, Cambridge and Chincoteague.
Wenger said the property owners approached Flagship to fill the newly vacated location in the White Marlin Mall after they'd experience the brand at one of the Pennsylvania theaters.
Most of the theater's major construction is complete and now the building is being turned over to theater owner for furnishings, fixtures and equipment, he said.
“We’ve rounded the corner and we can see the finish line," he said.
When customers enter Flagship Premium Cinemas, they receive a premium experience from arrival, Wenger said.
The lobby area will house a bar where moviegoers can enjoy up to two beer or wine drinks per person. Alcoholic beverages can only be enjoyed in the lobby area.
Wenger said the cinemas' beer and wine rules have been proven to please customers in another location.
“We find that most people are perfectly content with that," he said.
Customers can also order light fare and hot foods at the bar or the concession stand with the other movie theater staple items. Food items can be enjoyed in the lobby or while watching a movie.
Moviegoers will sit in powered luxury recliners while watching their film in either 2-D, 3-D or FPX which offers enhanced audio and a large picture format.
Flagship Cinemas will also offer various programs to the Ocean City area that Wenger said he doesn’t know if the community is offered elsewhere. The president couldn't discuss the programs the theater will be offering at this time, but they will be introduced when the theater opens.
The theater will hold a public and private opening event, but will begin with a soft opening to work out any kinks and make sure everything is running smoothly.
For Wenger, opening a theater in Ocean City is exciting for him. The company president was born and raised in the Baltimore area, but comes to the beach town often as he has a home here.
Expanding the Flagship brand anywhere is great, but in a place Wenger has roots is even better.
“For me it’s a little extra special,” he said.
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Contact reporter Meg Ryan at mryan@delmarvanow.com.
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