Mall of America is back in (show) business

Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., has been without a cinema since last spring when CMX filed for bankruptcy and closed its operation in the mall. (CMX has since returned in revenue-sharing deals with some properties.)

But on May 27, the big mall will be back with a big screen. One of the oldest cinema chains in the United States, B&B Theatres, which got its start with silent films, will be opening in the 64,000-sq.-ft. space vacated by CMX. 

Distinct plans for the space were not revealed, but B&B’s cinema in Liberty, Mo., houses a screen from the multi-projection cinema company ScreenX that’s four stories high and seven stories wide. A press release from Mall of America did say that it would have future announcements regarding “exciting changes and additions” to the space.

B&B will serve a menu including flatbreads, burgers, chicken, hot dogs and its signature funnel cake fries. A bar is scheduled to open this summer.

“Our industry has been hit hard, and our hearts go out to operators that have been forced to close locations and to communities that have been left without theaters,” said B&B CEO Bob Bagby. “This opportunity with Mall of America has been a source of excitement and optimism for us and seems a match made in cinema heaven.”