ArcLight Cinemas To Open in Glenview With Plans To Sell Alcohol

Photo: CinemaTreasures.org

What was lost has been returned quickly with a twist in Glenview.

As The Glen 10 Theaters were splicing the reel for the final time at The Glen Town Center earlier this month, a California-based theater company was swooping in - with plans to sell alcohol.

“We are extremely excited to come to Glenview,” a representative from ArcLight Cinemas said during the April 7 village meeting on their plans to open May 1 at 1850 Tower Road. “This is a unique piece of property and we are offering a unique and exhilarating movie going experience.”

That experience, a popular one among the companies other theaters - mostly in California but one in Maryland - includes reserved seating, live show hosts who are trained to introduce movies in person and the sale of alcohol.

Currently, there is no liquor license classification for movie theaters in the village of Glenview. So, at the request of ArcLight, an ordinance “amending Chapter 6 establishing a Class F-4 Liquor License classification for movie theaters” has been presented and approved on first reading. A final vote on the matter will take place as part of the consent agenda at the April 21 village meeting.

Plans are for alcoholic beverages to be served in a limited service area, a bar, and only be allowed to be purchased one at a time. Patrons will be allowed to consume the beverages in the theaters, but would have to return to the bar each time for another drink. All alcohol will be served in clear cups to differentiate from others who are not consuming alcohol.

The amended addition to the ordinance states a Movie Theater as “any building to which the public is invited and pays consideration for the purpose of viewing motion pictures.”

Alcohol will also not be served until one hour before the first showing and not be intended as a place to linger long after a movie.

At least one trustee is fully behind it.

“I voted for it on the first reading and I don’t see anything that’s going to change my mind on it,” said John Hinkamp. “I see no problems. It will make for an attractive place for adults to go see a movie.”

Hinkamp added that ArcLight is known for their upscale movie-going experience and that having a business fill the void of The Glen 10 so quickly was essential.

“You definitely don’t want to see empty lots and this is definitely an attractive business segment for us,” he said.

ArcLight, which will be assessed the standard $2,400 yearly fee to hold a liquor license, will be responsible for any potential underage drinking incidents whether or not the alcohol was sold there.

The company plans a rapid expansion that includes the opening of an ArcLight in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood in October.

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