After being temporarily shutdown for approximately two months, Pines Cinemas 8 now Saracen Cinema 8 is officially open for business. The closure came about as a result of what the new owners described as a much-needed facelift.
Okorie Ezieme and Steven Mays, Jr., bought the movie theater from The Pines Mall owner Judy Vu. Vu began managing the theater after the lease with Carmike Theaters ended in Jan. 2016. During that time, The Pine Bluff Commercial reported on various complaints of unsanitary conditions and allegations of showing patrons pirated films, all of which Vu denied.
“The main part of the pit was the infestation,” said Mays of cockroaches. “I can’t believe the (movie theater) was allowed to get to that point. We got the leaks (in the ceiling) taken care of, because if it leaked it would leak on the seats causing mildew. Those are things that weren’t taken care of by the previous owner.”
Mays insists that moviegoers will no longer experience issues in terms of cleanliness. While Saracen Cinema 8 remained closed, the new owners added extra lighting, repaired broken faucets in the restrooms, replaced movie screens with digital projectors and remodeled the concession stand.
Source: UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP Saracen Cinema 8 opens – News – Pine Bluff Commercial – Pine Bluff, AR