Salem Twin Cinema seeks to fill the movie theater void left by Cinemark Carnation 5

After the final credits rolled Sunday, the curtain came down on Cinemark Carnation 5 in Alliance. The first-run movie theater at the Carnation Mall ended operations.

Developers plan to demolish the mall and redevelop the property for a new Meijer store. That decision has left area residents without a local movie theater.

There are theaters near Canton, Boardman and Salem.

RememberedCarnation Mall didn't just sell goods, it also made memories

Beloit resident Garrett Ball, who tried to save the Alliance theater, was sad to see Carnation 5 close. He and some friends took in a final movie, "Bullet Train," there last week.

"It was a special place," he said. "If you were there for 'Avengers: Infinity Wars and Avengers: End Game,' the crowd went on a ride of emotions. (That theater meant) a lot."

Salem theater hopes to fill the void

Fifteen miles away, the Salem Twin Cinema hopes to attract Ball and other Alliance-area residents. The theater shows first-run movies on two screens and seat 125 per auditorium. The Canton area theaters are 30-minute drives.

Jock Buta, executive vice president of Butech Bliss, has owned and operated the theater at 2350 E. State St. since 2014. He bought it to save the movie theater after some lean years soured its reputation. It originally opened in 1972.

"It was rough for awhile," said general manager Alex Grist.

Grist said Buta has made significant upgrades, including adding VIP booths, and ticket prices are kept lower than chain theaters.

For example, a matinee (before 6 p.m.) is $7 for an adult and $6.50 for children. Evening showtimes (after 6 p.m.) are $9 for an adult and $7 for children.

"I think Salem gets forgotten," Buta said, "because it's a smaller town and people think of going to Canton" for movies. "But we've got the lowest prices around for tickets and concessions."

Ball, who enjoys Mountain Dew, said he does like that Salem Twin Cinema carries Pepsi products at the concession stand. He has watched a couple movies there in the past.

"Most theaters have Coke," he said.

Salem theater offers unique features

Buta said he also bought the theater to provide part-time jobs for area youth and to be a space for the community.

For example, Grist said, the theater has hosted Boy Scouts events, sporting events, birthday parties and other community programs.

"We're not corporately owned so we try to be friendly with our surrounding areas .. and accommodate their needs," he said.

Grist also said people can rent the screens to play video games. The cost is $175 for two hours.

"Bring your own console and plug it in," he said.

Additionally, Grist said moviegoers have a variety of seating options available to them on a first come, first served basis. In addition to traditional chairs, the two auditoriums include a choice of lounge, rumble and VIP seating.

The rumble seats, Grist said, have "subwoofers built in the back, so if any time you have a loud or low end sound from the movie, it will rumble. If there's an explosion, you'll feel it."

Grist said the VIP option involves an enclosed room with its own sound system embedded in each auditorium. For $100 and up to six people, the VIP treatment includes full service on popcorn and drink refills.

"We want people to know, 'Hey, we're here,'" Grist said.

The theater is open Thursdays through Sundays.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Salem Twin Cinema seeks Alliance area moviegoers after Cinemark closed