An Illinois-based company,
Seritage SRC Finance,
has proposed an AMC movie theater coming to Commack on Jericho Turnpike along
with a 24-hour fitness center and a retail store.
“My friends and I are really excited for this new theater because it will be so much closer for us to go to. I heard it was supposed to be really big too,” said freshman Zeynep T.
The new theater is anticipated to be two stories,
spanning a total of 54,199 square feet with 987 seats, according to the Long
Islander News. There will be many benefits to the community.
“The movie theater would also provide more jobs for people in Commack,” said social studies teacher Lindsey Caggiano.
Sharing the Huntington Square Mall with Barnes and Noble, Chili’s, Zaza Japan, and across from Smashburger, the movie theater is regarded by some as a stop before dinner or even after a studying session.
“I think that it would definitely be convenient for me to go to the movies after studying at Barnes and Noble,” said sophomore Caroline V.
Many high schoolers have
noticed that there are not a lot of activities to do in the community with
friends, because of the abundance of eateries and the lack of socializing
centers for teens.
There is a large quantity
of restaurants in Commack. However, there are no movie theaters since Commack
Multiplex Cinemas closed in September 2011.
“I’m always trying to figure out plans with friends and there’s barely anything to do in Commack. If a movie theater comes to Commack, it will definitely become a center for socializing,” said senior Pragati M.
According to Teenage
Research Unlimited, teens spend an average of $35 a month on movies.
“I hope the tickets will be affordable, at least more affordable than Regal,” said Caroline.
Regal Cinemas is a movie
theater many Commack residents attend, located in Deer Park in Tanger Outlets.
As of now, ticket prices at AMC for adults are $13.69 and with a student
discount accepted only on Thursdays, prices are discounted to $12.69 whereas
tickets at Regal Cinemas are $11.00-$12.50. However, prices also affect the
conveniences of the theater.
“Commack is a good location for a movie theater because we have access to all different parkways like the Long Island Expressway; it is also a very central location. It’s easy to get to places and we have very local towns nearby like Kings Park, Northport, East Northport, and Dix Hills,” said Caggiano.
Adding a new feature to Commack can have more
effects than just another entertainment facility for kids to hang out.
“The theater will bring in a lot of revenue; it’ll bring money into the area and other businesses
in the area as well. However, if it was a family owned business, it would
definitely bring in more money because that money would stay in the community
versus going outside the community as a franchise owned by a corporation,” said Caggiano.l
Ashley M.
Published February 2019