RICHMOND -
The popularity of Richmond's Movieland Theater is transforming the once industrial Boulevard corridor.
Cars packed the parking lot and moviegoers shuffled in and out of the complex Saturday as Bow-Tie Cinemas marked the one-year anniversary of Movieland.
"The theater is so different from any other theater in Richmond that it's really fun to go to," said Chris Bailor. "It's always my first choice in theaters."
Movieland's arrival has also delivered a new level of convenience to city residents, who no longer have to drive out to Short Pump or Henrico County to catch a flick.
"My husband and I have been living in the Fan for almost 10 years," said Linda Pautz, "and we always said the one thing that we're missing is a movie theater."
Despite a weak economy, management tells CBS 6 Movieland's revenues jumped in the second half of the year.
High attendance at the theater has also spurred a sort of renaissance among businesses in the surrounding community.
Stronghill Dining Company owner Robert Weaver described the Boulevard Corridor as an "up-and-coming" area that has benefited hugely from the cinema's arrival.
"It's kind of what a business neighborhood wants," explained Weaver. "You don't want a single destination for people to go to, so it makes the Boulevard and coming downtown itself more enticing."
Weaver said many people come in to eat before and after the regular dinner hour when they're trying to catch a movie. The end result is more business for Stronghill and the region's other restaurants and retailers.
Steve Papoulakos, owner of The Flower Market on the Boulevard, said he's not sure how much his revenue has spiked since Movieland's opening, but the impact is definitely obvious.
"Whenever a new business moves into our neighborhood, it's a welcome business," said Papoulakos, "because it brings more traffic and more people."
Owners like Papoulakos and Weaver would like to see the Boulevard Corridor develop a similar dynamic to Carytown, where a diverse number of outlets all converge in one locale.
"That's unique for a lot of the places around Richmond," said Weaver, "to be able to park your car and go to multiple places and spend your afternoon or evening like you would if you went to the suburbs."
Cars packed the parking lot and moviegoers shuffled in and out of the complex Saturday as Bow-Tie Cinemas marked the one-year anniversary of Movieland.
"The theater is so different from any other theater in Richmond that it's really fun to go to," said Chris Bailor. "It's always my first choice in theaters."
Movieland's arrival has also delivered a new level of convenience to city residents, who no longer have to drive out to Short Pump or Henrico County to catch a flick.
"My husband and I have been living in the Fan for almost 10 years," said Linda Pautz, "and we always said the one thing that we're missing is a movie theater."
Despite a weak economy, management tells CBS 6 Movieland's revenues jumped in the second half of the year.
High attendance at the theater has also spurred a sort of renaissance among businesses in the surrounding community.
Stronghill Dining Company owner Robert Weaver described the Boulevard Corridor as an "up-and-coming" area that has benefited hugely from the cinema's arrival.
"It's kind of what a business neighborhood wants," explained Weaver. "You don't want a single destination for people to go to, so it makes the Boulevard and coming downtown itself more enticing."
Weaver said many people come in to eat before and after the regular dinner hour when they're trying to catch a movie. The end result is more business for Stronghill and the region's other restaurants and retailers.
Steve Papoulakos, owner of The Flower Market on the Boulevard, said he's not sure how much his revenue has spiked since Movieland's opening, but the impact is definitely obvious.
"Whenever a new business moves into our neighborhood, it's a welcome business," said Papoulakos, "because it brings more traffic and more people."
Owners like Papoulakos and Weaver would like to see the Boulevard Corridor develop a similar dynamic to Carytown, where a diverse number of outlets all converge in one locale.
"That's unique for a lot of the places around Richmond," said Weaver, "to be able to park your car and go to multiple places and spend your afternoon or evening like you would if you went to the suburbs."
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