Buffalo, N.Y. - Mayor Byron W. Brown today joined with representatives of AMC Theatres and The Benchmark Group to announce the much-anticipated AMC Market Arcade 8 will open this Thursday, August 16th. The state-of-the- art, eight screen, 650-seat film complex Buffalo’s Market Arcade complex is the culmination of a strong partnership between the City of Buffalo, AMC Theatres and The Benchmark Group.
“My Administration has been working to reach this goal since 2014, when the Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre closed, leaving downtown Buffalo without a movie theater,” Mayor Brown said. “Not only did we want to bring a first- class movie-going experience to this site, we needed experienced partners with track records of long-term success. We found that in AMC Theatres and The Benchmark Group.”
Mayor Brown said both AMC and Benchmark saw opportunity in Buffalo’s economic and cultural resurgence.
“They not only took notice of the nearly $6.5 billion in investment our City has experienced since 2012, they analyzed the value of our fast-growing downtown residential and business population, increasing leisure and business tourism, and the many national and international accolades the City of Buffalo is getting for its renaissance,” Mayor Brown said.
“We’re excited to deliver this incredible AMC experience, which guests around the country are raving about, to movie- goers in Buffalo with the opening of the AMC Market Arcade 8,” said John McDonald, Executive Vice President, U.S. operations, AMC Theatres.
“When we submitted our proposal we knew it would be a complex, but extremely rewarding development achievement. We’re best known for our suburban projects, but we are very proud to be a part of the City of Buffalo’s resurgence, especially an urban project that will provide so much enjoyment for Buffalo residents and visitors for many years to come,” said Steven Longo, Chief Operating Officer, The Benchmark Group.
“It is wonderful to see Downtown’s Theatre District alive and thriving with magnificent local and national theatrical choices, live music venues and delectable fine and casual dining options. The opening of the AMC theatres continues the Theatre District on an exciting positive trajectory, one that includes myriad of entertainment choices perfect for night out in the Queen City,” said Lisa Ludwig, President, Theatre District Association.
The new AMC Market Place 8 features AMC Signature plush, power heated recliners, online ticketing, reserved seating, ticketless entry and cutting-edge visual and audio technology.
The theatre will also offer the AMC Feature Fare food menu, which includes such items as chicken & waffle sandwiches, stone-fired flat bread pizzas, pretzel bites and gluten-free snacks. Movie-goers will also find Coca-Cola Freestyle machines, which offer more than 120 drink options.
Another change for patrons of the reconfigured downtown theatre is that entry will now be from the Main Street side only. Previously, movie-goers were able to enter from both Main and Washington streets.
New event parking during movie times at the City’s Augspurger Parking Ramp, at the corner of Pearl Street and W. Chippewa Street, will ease that transition.
M&T Bank will once again offer convenient, special event parking for movie-goers in its Washington Street surface parking lot, at the rear of the theater as they have done over the past 20 years. AMC patrons will have easy access from the rear lot to the front entry, via a well-lit, attractive pathway along the north side of the Market Arcade complex.
“M&T is pleased to see the return of movie screens to downtown and to have had the opportunity to play a couple of roles in getting the deal done. This is the sort of attraction that will draw Western New Yorkers to our entertainment and theatre districts, putting patrons not only in the theatre, but also into nearby shops and restaurants. It is another significant waypoint in downtown’s rebirth.” said Keith Belanger, M&T Bank Senior Vice President and longtime Chairman of Buffalo Place, the downtown business improvement district.
ABOUT AMC ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS, INC.
AMC (NYSE: AMC) is the largest movie exhibition company in the U.S., in Europe and throughout the world with approximately 1,000 theatres and 11,000 screens across the globe. AMC has propelled innovation in the exhibition industry by: deploying more plush power-recliner seats; delivering enhanced food and beverage choices; generating greater guest engagement through its loyalty program, web site and smart phone apps; offering premium large format experiences and playing a wide variety of content including the latest Hollywood releases and independent programming. AMC operates among the most productive theatres in the United States’ top markets, having the #1 or #2 market share positions in 22 of the 25 largest metropolitan areas of the United States, including the top three markets (NY, LA, Chicago). Through its Odeon subsidiary AMC operates in 14 European countries and is the # 1 theatre chain in Estonia, Finland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Spain, Sweden and UK & Ireland. For more information, go to www.amctheatres.com.
ABOUT THE BENCHMARK GROUP:
Founded in 1983 by WWII Veteran Jack Gellman, his two sons, Arthur and George, and CPA Clarke Narins, The Benchmark Group has developed and acquired extensive real estate holdings. Guided by professionalism and integrity, they have fostered trust, good will and respect throughout Benchmark’s business and financial dealings and have instilled pride and enthusiasm within the organization. It is this dynamic attitude, coupled with the pursuit of excellence that has become the signature of The Benchmark Group. Headquartered in Amherst, NY, The Benchmark Group’s portfolio is valued at close to $1 billion, including 6,000 apartment units in 12 states and nearly 4,000,000 square feet of retail space in 11 states. www.benchmarkgrp.com