B&B Theatres set to open new Grand Island location in May

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - After the closure of Grand Island’s only multi-plex theater during the renovations of the Conestoga Marketplace, many residents were left wondering if the city would ever see a replacement.

In 2024, the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce announced plans for a new theater, B&B Theatres, to open later that year, but the opening was delayed until 2025.

The company recently confirmed a May 1 grand opening for its new cinema entertainment center, which will include a range of activities in addition to movie screenings.

The new theater, B&B Theatres Grand Island 7, is located at the site of the former Conestoga Mall, which opened in 1974. The mall’s original Conestoga Four Theatre served as a first-run cinema for the community. Over the years, the theater evolved, marking the city’s longstanding connection to film and entertainment.

B&B Theatres’ Grand Island location will feature seven auditoriums with curved, wrap-around screens and 380 heated recliner seats. In addition to films, the facility will offer a variety of entertainment options, including a 10-lane bowling alley equipped with SPARK technology, an arcade spanning 7,000 square feet, and two outdoor pickleball courts.

There will also be dining options, including a full-service restaurant and bar, as well as food-to-go services for moviegoers who want to enjoy a meal during screenings.

The venue’s new offerings are likely to be seen as a welcome addition to Grand Island’s entertainment scene, particularly for a community that has seen limited options since the loss of the Conestoga Mall’s movie theater.

B&B Theatres, a family-owned business since 1924, is the fifth-largest theater chain in North America, operating over 550 screens across 15 states. The company has expanded its reach over the years, adapting to changes in cinema technology, from silent films to the advent of sound, color, and digital projections.

Here’s a breakdown of what the venue will offer:

• B-Roll Bowling: A modern 10-lane bowling alley perfect for casual games and competitive play alike, complete with SPARK technology, an optional free add-on the projects minigames onto the lanes!
• Outtakes Arcade: A sprawling 7,000-square-foot arcade housing 75 games, offering the newest in arcade technology and the classics of yesteryear, guaranteeing fun for all ages!
• Pickleball Courts: Two outdoor pickleball courts provide an incredible atmosphere for family fun or friendly competitive play for this rapidly growing sport. Bring your own gear or rent it from us!
• Sterling’s Restaurant and Bar: A vibrant dining experience with a full-service bar, allowing guests to savor delicious meals and beverages before or after their entertainment activities. And drinks from the bar can be taken anywhere in the building!
• Food-to-Go: The “Food-to-Go” option provides fresh, hot, made-to-order burgers, flatbread pizzas, fries, onion rings, hot dogs, and more for meals to be enjoyed in any of the seven auditoriums!
• Custom Coca-Cola Combinations: Coca-Cola Freestyle machines offer a vast selection of drink options to complement any meal or snack.

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