Cinema Owners Change Age Requirement Policy for Arlington Heights Location

A proposed theater for Arlington Heights that will serve alcohol and food "will not require moviegoers under the age of 18 to be accompanied by a parent or guardian," according to information posted on the Discover Arlington Heights website this past week. 

Though the Star Cinema Grill company policy (as posted on its website) requires anyone under 18 to be accompanied by a parent or guardian, owners of the proposed Star Cinema Theater announced they would not require the same for the Arlington Heights location, according to Discover AH. 

With the hopes of bringing a community theater back to Arlington Heights, area representatives approached Star Cinema owners and requested all ages be allowed to attend the theater —without adult supervision, according to information posted on the Discover Arlington Heights website. 

Arlington Heights has not had a community theater since Arlington Heights Theaters closed last summer. 

"The willingness to change their company’s practices, based on input received from Arlington Heights’ representatives, speaks highly of the theater chain’s appreciation of Arlington Heights’ strong desire to have a community movie theater," according to the Discover Arlington Heights website. 

Star Cinema Grill currently owns three theaters in Texas and recently received plan commission approval to open one at 53 S. Evergreen Ave. in Arlington Heights. The proposal will likely appear before the village board in coming weeks. 

Star Cinema also is awaiting a liquor license and a liquor commission hearing is set for Feb. 4. The company policy does require anyone ordering alcohol to be 21 year old and to present a valid government-issued identification card.

The company announced its plans for the old theater in December and the project has been moving quickly. 

“We have a great deal of cooperation from the city, which is excellent,” said Omar Khan, president of Star Cinema Grill, who is hoping for a mid-May opening, in time for the summer blockbuster season.

There’s still much work to do to open by May.

“We are adding a full kitchen and a full bar,” Khan said. “We are converting all the projectors to digital. We are basically gutting the theater and revamping the entire venue. The only thing we will use is an existing wall.”

Gloria Casas contributed to this article.