I remember Septum taking over the theatre but I thought it was from an independent. Septum had a four plex which was being turned into an 8 plex. Salem Gate was a problem because they kept getting film, and occassionally some big pictures. So when the opportunity to take it over became available, Septum did so with the intent to close it when the 8 fully opened. It was an older theatre, had not been maintained well, and was in an undesirable location.
For a time, this theatre was one of the best grossing theaters in the metro Atlanta area. But eventually North Point Mall opened in nearby Alpharetta bringing serious competition from both AMC and General Cinema.
This theatre was the start of Septum Cinemas. Built as a Jerry Lewis Twin Cinema, ownership changed when the theatre failed. Star Wars opened 2nd run at Christmas but this theatre was the only theatre in metro Atlanta showing it so lines were long. The Weis Doraville theatre, across the street, had the first run of Star Wars. Septum’s corporate offices were upstairs, in between the projection units of the cinemas. The film Superman, opened here exclusively as the only theatre on the north side, and established Septum’s foray into first run films. Septum management did use the theatre for softcore x rated films as well and sometimes would have an x rated film in one auditorium and a PG or R film in the other. Eventually, the theatre was sold in order to focus on being an x rated theatre only and Septum’s corporate offices were moved to Holcomb Woods. Of amazement to me is that this theatre is the one and only Septum theatre to still be open, some 28 years after Septum was sold to Cineplex Odeon,.
Fun stuff. I would think I have more information about the old days than Stan though since my father and I owned Septum Cinemas.Most of the info is well researched but I take issue with one point. The Stonemont Twin was not the only theatre to have considerable success. In its day, the Memorial Drive 5 was one of the largest grossing theatres in all of Atlanta. In fact, the parking lot was always full (it was too small to begin with) and we had to hire Dekalb County police officers to cross people over Memorial Drive.
When Memorial 5 opened, the area had extremely under-built
I remember Septum taking over the theatre but I thought it was from an independent. Septum had a four plex which was being turned into an 8 plex. Salem Gate was a problem because they kept getting film, and occassionally some big pictures. So when the opportunity to take it over became available, Septum did so with the intent to close it when the 8 fully opened. It was an older theatre, had not been maintained well, and was in an undesirable location.
-evan busman-
For a time, this theatre was one of the best grossing theaters in the metro Atlanta area. But eventually North Point Mall opened in nearby Alpharetta bringing serious competition from both AMC and General Cinema.
This theatre was the start of Septum Cinemas. Built as a Jerry Lewis Twin Cinema, ownership changed when the theatre failed. Star Wars opened 2nd run at Christmas but this theatre was the only theatre in metro Atlanta showing it so lines were long. The Weis Doraville theatre, across the street, had the first run of Star Wars. Septum’s corporate offices were upstairs, in between the projection units of the cinemas. The film Superman, opened here exclusively as the only theatre on the north side, and established Septum’s foray into first run films. Septum management did use the theatre for softcore x rated films as well and sometimes would have an x rated film in one auditorium and a PG or R film in the other. Eventually, the theatre was sold in order to focus on being an x rated theatre only and Septum’s corporate offices were moved to Holcomb Woods. Of amazement to me is that this theatre is the one and only Septum theatre to still be open, some 28 years after Septum was sold to Cineplex Odeon,.
Fun stuff. I would think I have more information about the old days than Stan though since my father and I owned Septum Cinemas.Most of the info is well researched but I take issue with one point. The Stonemont Twin was not the only theatre to have considerable success. In its day, the Memorial Drive 5 was one of the largest grossing theatres in all of Atlanta. In fact, the parking lot was always full (it was too small to begin with) and we had to hire Dekalb County police officers to cross people over Memorial Drive.
When Memorial 5 opened, the area had extremely under-built
I just found this site by accident. Love the comments. Thanks for making my day.
-evan busman-