[StBernard] Chalmette Movies reopening is delayed until later this month

[Westley Annis]

Chalmette Movies reopening is delayed until later this month
Published: Friday, July 02, 2010, 5:00 AM 
 Mike Scott, The Times-Picayune 
 
Given the booming box-office that movie theaters traditionally enjoy on the
July 4th weekend, the operators of the rebuilt, soon-to-open Chalmette
Movies have been working feverishly to open their doors and get on with the
show by this weekend. Turns out, that goal -- like their original mid-June
goal -- was a bit optimistic.

The rebuilt Chalmette Movies multiplex will take a bit longer to open than
had been previously expected.

Continued construction delays have pushed back the targeted opening date to
July 16 at the earliest and possibly as late as July 30, according to
Wendeslaus Schulz, a spokesman for theater operator South Louisiana
Entertainment Group.

Earlier construction concerns centered on installation of the
stadium-seating system and the concrete slab in which it will be anchored.
This time, however, the delay is more cosmetic than structural.

"It's the drapes of all things. The drapes are coming from China, and
apparently it's a slow boat from China," Schulz said jokingly.

Schulz and business partner Ellis Fortinberry operated the Chalmette
multiplex for years until Hurricane Katrina inundated it with 17 feet of
water. The new theater has been built from the ground up on the same site
along West Judge Perez Drive. 

It will boast six auditoriums -- two with 140 seats, two with 110 seats and
two with 85 seats -- all of which will be equipped with stadium seating. One
of the auditoriums will include digital projection equipment capable of
displaying 3-D movies. 

The new theater will focus mostly on mainstream movies, with an emphasis on
family-friendly fare, Schulz said.