LAKEVIEW — An independent film theater chain is renovating its Lakeview location to add a bar space, more windows and more food.
Landmark Theatres' Century Centre Cinema, 2828 N. Clark St., plans to start construction on a lounge and bar area in two and a half weeks, said Michael Fant, senior vice president of real estate and development at the company, at a Tuesday community meeting.
The company will be working with existing space in the theater and not expanding the building, Fant said. The fourth floor has a vacant space near the box office that will be transformed for the renovation.
Construction is set to finish July 12, with the theater's seven screens remaining open for business.
The renovation is timed with the theater's plan to expand food offerings, including adding salads, southwest eggrolls, hummus plates and tater tots. Most of the hot food will be cooked with a convection oven, Fant said, but many items will be made with fresh ingredients that are delivered daily. Alcohol will also be available.
"It's a little bit beyond what you would find in a normal movie theater," he said.
The Los Angeles-based firm, owned by businessmen Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner, has been seeking new ways to make money in light of lowered box office sales, Fant said.
"We found it necessary in the last few years to diversify," he said.
