Movie theater has new owner; changes coming

■ Bella Vista’s 10 screens are now under the AMC company banner.

Changes have been coming slowly after Carmike Cinemas joined AMC in January. The new name of the Sugar Creek 10 will be AMC Classic Sugar Creek 10.

There are several variations of AMC theaters listed on the company’s website, www.amctheatres.com/carmike. Some former Carmike Cinemas will become AMC, or AMC Dine In. The difference between AMC and AMC Classic is that the classic theaters are traditional, with few extra amenities. AMC theaters may have recliner seats or serve alcohol. AMC Dine In provides a menu featuring dinner foods and cocktails.

While the Bella Vista theater is the classic format, there may be some new food items at the theater including warm pretzel bites and hot dogs. The drinks will be self-service with a variety of flavors available.

The AMC rewards program is called Stubs, and it’s almost the same as the Carmike program, Kimberly Sanden at AMC public relations said. When a customer buys a large popcorn at an AMC theater, a refill is free.

Also, refillable popcorn buckThe

ets issued by Carmike will be refilled for $4.25, she said.

Angela Whiting said she bought her Carmike refillable bucket after the AMC take over, but before customers knew about it. They should have stopped selling the bucket right away, she said.

The Carmike offer, she said, included unlimited refills of the bucket for $4.25 each for the calendar year. When the bucket was refilled, it was lined with a plastic bag which made it more sanitary and actually allowed for more popcorn. She has heard that the liners are no longer available.

She’s not sure she would want her plastic bucket filled without a liner.

The Stubs program also gives members $2 off tickets on Tuesdays. To get the special $5 price on Tuesday, customers have to join the Stubs Premiere program for $15. There is also a point system that can generate cash rewards.

The staff at the theater was told not to talk to press, but they did reveal that there haven’t been any big changes to staff and they haven’t heard many complaints from customers.