KANSAS CITY, Mo — The demise last weekend of the Screenland Crossroads Theatre brought a collective feeling of malaise for Kansas City movie buffs. The news this weekend is a lot better.
Standees, The Entertaining Eatery opens on Friday, May 24 in the Village Shops, 3935 West 69th Terrace in Prairie Village, KS. Dineplex International, a company made up mostly of former AMC Theater employees, is responsible for this unique concept.
The 14,000 square foot complex occupies the space that once housed the Macy’s Home Store and Einstein Bagels. It features a full service restaurant highlighting a locally sourced “chef-infused” American classic style menu, as well as three state-of-the-art digital theaters with 85 large leather seats per auditorium.
“Standees has everything you need for the ultimate everyday escape. Enjoy a wonderful meal, relax with a refreshing drink or see a great movie — all in one comfortable and convenient location,” said Frank Rash, president and CEO, Dineplex. “It’s an upscale-casual restaurant with an entertaining twist.”
The theaters will focus on content for adult moviegoers, including “commercial movies, the best in independent film and progressive theatre experiences, such as live and pre-recorded performances and events.”
All of the theaters are 3D capable and feature 30-foot screens and Dolby Surround 7.1 sound systems. Standees will not impose an up-charge for 3D movies.
And don’t worry…you won’t have to ‘stand’ at Standees. The name has multiple meanings.
In old time movie theater parlance, a ‘standee’ referred to someone who had to stand at the back of the audience during sold out performances. (There is no standing room at Standees.) A standee is also a term for a cardboard cut-out advertisement that often populates theater lobbies.
But mostly, the name Standees is an homage to the late Stan Durwood (Stan D.), the longtime Kansas City businessman who founded AMC Theaters. Peter Brown, the Chairman of Dineplex, is the former CEO of AMC Theaters.
More information is available at http://www.standeeseatery.com/prairie-village/
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