‘Something big’ set to open in space that once housed the MovieLounge

“Get ready for something big!” That’s the promise of the MovieLounge electronic marquee sign that continues offering time and weather updates at the theater/restaurant, which closed down last September.

Arkansas House Rep. George McGill, D-Fort Smith, shed a little more light on that hint in his Wednesday (May 2) mayoral debate against opponent Luis Andrade. Referring to one of the young men he’s mentored during his career, McGill said the unnamed man would be reopening the MovieLounge.

McGill told Talk Business & Politics after the debate he would “let the young man,” a 34-year-old, get into the details of it, but the facility would “cut a ribbon in June” and the business name would be the same.

The MovieLounge closed Oct. 1, 2017. Dwight Curry, who opened the facility in 2012 and said at the time he had “enjoyed building the concept, and it really has been fun.”

Until recently, the property was available for lease or redevelopment through Nunnelee & Wright Commercial Properties. Dwight Curry opened the facility in 2012.

Including the general manager, the MovieLounge employed 20 during its four years of operation. Prior to the MovieLounge opening, the building at 7601 Rogers Ave. was the home of Circuit City, which closed its doors in 2009.

When first constructed, the MovieLounge included a 115-seat restaurant, banquet area that could seat 235 and three 40-60 person theaters. The about $2.6 million project also included two “high-end, luxury” movie screens capable of seating 85 each, along with a smaller third theater space. A third theater space had “box seat” furnishings in a 750-square-foot space with a 15-foot screen that was geared for for corporate events, Super Bowl parties, and other intimate gatherings.