Inside Landmark Cinemas, a viewer’s cinema experience expands beyond regular releases with Peoria Theater—Independent Film and Event Center. The film complex, located behind the Wal-Mart on University and not far off the I-74 Gale exit, provides an abundance of entertainment choices. The Peoria Theater has been going strong for two years now, offering more than just films by expanding to diverse types of musical events, corporate meetings, and private parties. Film choices go beyond regular Hollywood contributions, including, independent films, double features, documentaries, foreign films, local filmmakers, concert films, and locally made films.
In 2008, Luke McCann, Owner/General Manager of the theater partnered with Jay Goldberg of Jay Goldberg Events and Entertainment to collectively start-up this exceptional enterprise. Their startup business created a large following with the mix of films and events bringing in a regular customer base. McCann states, “We opened on February 7th, 2009. (McCann and Goldberg) talked about doing this and laid the groundwork for about six months before actually opening the doors. We do not just show ‘independent films’. In fact, true ‘independent films’ probably only make up ten percent of the films we show.”
McCann has many duties including: movie projection, booking films for big screen viewings, concessionist, running the official website, and added tasks that keep the Peoria Theater going. His job is ten hours a day, seven days a week with constant dedication towards keeping the team’s vision going in Peoria. Thus, the Peoria Theater opened with the opportunity to showcase many films and leisure options that many in Peoria might not normally encounter with a huge business strategy.
McCann remarked, “I do my best. It’s really a job in itself. I research films that are out, then what is available, and cross reference that with…other theaters…around the country. Finally, (I) weigh whether or not I think it will do well with our audience.” Luke McCann’s hard work combined with Jay Goldberg’s dedication and promotional abilities has made Peoria Theater successful. The focus of these two visionaries has brought them many customers appreciating their location for its film choices, event offerings, and intimate atmosphere.
Since 2009, the Theater has been noticed by the likes of WEEK-TV and the Peoria Journal Star for its fabulous addition to Central Illinois. The eclectic event schedule with a large grouping of movies and musical acts, such as an Oscar Night Party, Short Documentary program, and live musical acts, make the Peoria Theater a positive place to hang out. In its grand capacity, the two auditoriums set aside for the Peoria Theater seat 150 people each.
The Theater has shown somewhere around 90 films, and realistically 300 to 400 films with double features and one night only shows figured in. McCann states, “Movies come as they come sometimes. We know (of) a film or event in June, but sometimes (we are notified of film additions) just weeks in advance, not any different than any other theater. I get to watch movies, but I also get to use a lot of the things I learned about in school or have taught myself, like web design.”
McCann states, “I’ve also been designing a lot of the material you would see at the theater, flyers and such. The logo was (produced by me) and a graphic design friend named Pete Alwan.” Luke also creates all the marketing material for the Theater. His multitasking on the behalf of the Theater has brought several films and events over two years with additions on the horizon. The venue allows for several types of happenings, which gives versatility to the Peoria Cinemas 10 in Landmark that aren’t shown by other movie theaters. In addition, businesses have the ability to advertise on the big screen or in the lobby, which allows for business promotion during events.
A promotional movie club gives excellent discounts and listings of events are displayed on the website as well as at the theater. Not only does the Peoria Theater offer lots of space, but a full bar of domestic/imported beers, as well as wines, cocktails, and coffee. Also, there are several snack choices including: Butch’s pizza, nachos, and pretzels. Additionally, there are traditional fountain drink choices as well as energy drinks, frappuccinos, and orange juice. Peoria Theater is the only theater in Central Illinois that allows for drink recycling, an aspect that puts them ahead of other choices for film viewing.
As a publicly owned option for entertainment, McCann states, “(The Theater) is on the cutting edge of quite a few areas” which make Peoria Theater a state of the art complex within Landmark Cinemas. McCann is confident about arenas for expansion with the prospect of an open mic night for future consideration. Therefore, this independent film and event center offers great options for the Central Illinois public. Overall, the Peoria Theater is truly an outstanding place to be in Peoria because of events and musical acts you won’t see anywhere else.