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Starting Feb. 1, Regal Cinema 12 to become The Capitol Theatre 12 managed by Dipson Theatres Inc.
The red Regal Cinemas signs were dismantled and painted over this week, as a new company prepares to take over the movie house.
Regional Cinema Operator Dipson Theaters Inc. recently announced it signed a lease to become the new operator for the Niagara Falls Cinema 12 located at 720 Builders Way, Niagara Falls – effective Feb. 1.
The previous operator for 20 years, Regal Entertainment Group, has ended its lease agreement as part of a corporate bankruptcy. The Niagara Falls location is one of dozens of locations affected nationwide.
A press release noted, “Dipson is eagerly looking forward to taking over operations of the cinema and applying their local, personal knowledge of the market to moviegoers in 2023. The theatre will be renamed ‘The Capitol Theatre’ in honor of the original Capitol Theatre, which was opened in Niagara Falls in 1926.”
Originally founded in 1939 in Batavia, Dipson is a family-run company that relocated to Amherst in 2000. Last summer, Dipson purchased the Transit Drive-In Theatre in Niagara County.
The press release explained, “Dipson will leverage their local operations and marketing teams to give residents of Niagara Falls a more personal moviegoing experience.”
In addition to the Niagara County locations, Dipson also operates the Flix Stadium 10 in Lancaster, the McKinley Mall Cinema 6 in Blasdell, and the Amherst Theatre in Buffalo. Dipson has two additional locations in Jamestown, and one in Warren, Pennsylvania.
Recently, Dipson completely renovated Flix Stadium 10, and will begin plans to modernize and renovate the Niagara Falls location.
Michael Clement, owner of Dipson, said, “Patrons are pickier today with so many options for entertainment. We need to give them a reason to leave home and share a few hours with us at the cinema.”
The "Regal" sign was disabled, and the street sign painted over on Thursday.
The press release said, “All existing staff have been contacted and offered employment. Dipson hopes that all employees will wish to continue working at the location. All existing vendors will be contacted by new management with the ambition of maintaining local services in the future.”
Clement said, “We hope customers will appreciate seeing the same faces and enjoying the same products they have enjoyed for years. However, we also are excited to hear from the community with ideas of things we can do to enhance the experience.”
All pricing will be adjusted immediately upon taking over operations. Presently, the theater charges upward of $13 to $19 per ticket.
“$19 to see a movie in Niagara Falls is not sustainable” Clement said, “This is not New York City.”
The average ticket price will be reduced to an average of $8 per ticket.
Dipson said it plans to enhance concession offerings, too. Pending approval from the state of New York, Dipson will start offering beer and wine like most theaters now offer.
“Bargain Tuesdays” will offer reduced admission pricing for participating film studios, as well as half-off popcorn and fountain drinks. Dipson will entertain alternative programming at this location, as well.
Presently, Dipson hosts the “Thursday Night Terrors,” “Monday Movie Mayhem,” “Flashback Cinema” and the “Turner Classics,” in addition to the New York MET at several locations.
Dipson said it is “ecstatic to be able to save this location from closure,” and is “excited to work with the Niagara Falls community and local business owners to further enhance the moviegoing experience for everyone in the surrounding community.”
Clement said, “Going to the movies should be affordable and fun. We hope the community will support us as we embark on this new adventure.”
Dipson Theaters is on social media: