Blackfoot Movie Mill opening to the public this Friday

BLACKFOOT– The long-awaited Blackfoot seven-plex movie theater that’s been in the works since last November is finally opening to the public this Friday.

Owners are ready to open three of the seven theaters in the new Blackfoot Movie Mill and they’re crossing their fingers to be able to open a fourth soon.

He says theater one seats 130 guests, theater two seats 125, three seats 165 and four seats 95. Once the building is complete the largest theater will hold 190.

“You wouldn’t even recognize the building,” Royal Theaters owner Kent Lott says.

Lott says an open house was held on Halloween and some 2,000 people came to visit.

“They were just excited. They were falling in love with the look and feel of the theater… we had some people that would sit in Auditorium 3 and just watch the previews for 30 to 45 minutes,” Lott says.

He says progress that’s been made in the last several months on the Movie Mill include: placement of concession cabinets, flooring throughout the building, cash registers being sent, the parking lot being paved and painted, five of seven laser projectors being set, the installation of 7.1 certified QSC sound, and much more construction, technical and aesthetic work.

Lott says the modern, rustic feel of the “mill” is coming to life.

“It’s looking like a movie theater,” Lott says. “The decor is more fun than I anticipated. We’ve used a lot of lumber from the barn we tore town.”

Lott says they are going to start off with a holiday flick, The Grinch, during the first week in the three open theaters. He says if the fourth theater is ready by Nov. 9 they’ll show the movie Venom. The week after they will show Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them, and then will move to newer shows from this season.

Owners are excited to showcase the theater’s new laser projector technology and sound equipment.

“I’m dumbfounded at how amazing it is. We put the picture up, and without even focusing it, it’s the clearest, sharpest picture I’ve ever seen,” Lott says.

“To my knowledge, we’ll be the first theater in the state of Idaho with laser. I know of one other theater in the state that’s being built right now… but we’ll open before them,” Manager Brandon Lott told EastIdahoNews.com in September.

Lott says he thinks the theater will be a great addition to the city of Blackfoot and a benefit to local businesses. He says locals can look forward to visiting the family run business with affordable pricing. People can even book their tickets and choose seating online before a show.

“I hope people come here for the atmosphere. I hope this becomes a destination,” Lott says.