It has been over a year and a half since the theater at Breckenridge Village shut down, now a new theater concept is planned for the space. The new concept, Film Alley, plans to open in 2025 and will include not only a theater, but also bowling, arcade, a bar, and food options.
The Keet Family (JTJ Restaurants – Petit & Keet, Cypress Social, Waldo’s, Taziki’s and more), along with Kelly Commercial purchased Breckenridge Village in 2022 with hopes of reviving the area and making it a central hub of restaurants and bars in Little Rock. Not long after opening Regal UA theaters (which opened originally in 1998) decided to close the 12 screen theater on the property along with several others across the country after the theater industry’s sharp revenue decline following COVID.
I’ve had numerous discussions with the Keets over the past couple of years (probably annoyingly so) about the future of the theater, and I know that they have made it a priority to find not only a tenant, but one that matches their long term vision of the shopping and dining center.
The new Film Alley concept will feature a full arcade, eight lane bowling, a bar, and dine in movie options for guests. The theater itself will reduce the number of screens to 8 while adding new heated recliner seats and premium projection and sound. Schulman theaters will be the operator of the new concept, which is a family owned business out of Texas that has operated since 1926.
They expect renovations to begin soon with a target opening in early 2025.
— Full Release Below —
LITTLE ROCK, AR. (July 25, 2024) Schulman Theatres Inc is proud to announce the future opening of our newest FILM ALLEY location in Little Rock, Arkansas. The site is a former 12-screen theatre in Breckenridge Village on N Rodney Parham Road which will be remodeled into the FILM ALLEY concept.
FILM ALLEY is a Movie Entertainment Center consisting of a full redemption arcade, eight lanes of duckpin bowling, the 5S Rock Bar, and eight dine-in movie auditoriums with heated recliner seating, including one Premium Large Format auditorium with 4K laser projection and DTS-X Immersive Sound.
Schulman Theatres is a family owned and operated company which began business in Texas in 1926. Schulman Partners, LLC is the management arm of Schulman Theatres and will manage the operation. Morris Schulman and sons Jacob, Nathan and Clayton are fourth and fifth generation operators with a history of over 100 years in movie exhibition under the brand name Schulman Theatres.
According to Morris Schulman, President of Schulman Theatres, “In 2012 we acquired our first Movie Entertainment Center. The focus of all our current and future locations is to enhance the MEC experience. Currently we have seven locations in Texas with a total of 52 screens, one of which is undergoing a transition to the Film Alley concept with anticipated opening in October.”
FILM ALLEY LITTLE ROCK will undergo renovations soon with an anticipated opening in early 2025.
“The addition of Schulman Theatres ‘Film Alley’ is an exciting development that will make Breckenridge Village even more unique with a number of entertainment and dining options. The Schulmans are first class operators and we are excited to have them coming to central Arkansas. Hank Kelley and the team at Kelley Commercial Partners have done an outstanding job of coordinating every aspect of the redevelopment of the center. Tommy Keet has spearheaded the restaurant developments with excellence. Plans are underway to apply for a temporary entertainment district designation which will make Breckenridge Village the place to go in Central Arkansas,” said Jim Keet, chairman of JTJ Restaurants.
Exciting progress is being made every day on the revitalization of Breckenridge Village. In addition to The Looney Bin which remains a local favorite, Eat My Catfish recently reopened and is experiencing record sales. Neverwhere Coffee opened earlier this year and is getting rave reviews about the quality of the coffee offered and the ambience. Mt. Fuji has opened in a beautiful new facility and is recognized as having the best Japanese cuisine and sushi bar in the state. Waldo’s Chicken and Beer (a family-oriented sports bar) has opened with great guest reviews. Award winning Deluca’s, which originated in Hot Springs, will open the first week of October. Another award winning, locally owned restaurant, The Root Café, will open in the fourth quarter. The Wonder Place has recently committed to opening an additional 2,000 square feet adjacent to their existing facility, and Flyway Brewery will open a beautiful new location in early 2025.
