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Feds: AMC must sell some Indy theaters to make acquisition

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The U.S. Justice Department said AMC Entertainment Group Inc., the second-largest U.S. movie theater owner, must sell some cinemas, including two in central Indiana, to proceed with plans to buy most of those operated by Kerasotes Showplace Theatres.

AMC must divest a total of eight properties in the Indianapolis area, Chicago and Denver to proceed with the $275 million acquisition, the department said Friday in an e-mailed statement. This would resolve concerns about competition in those cities, according to the statement.

Kerasotes has four theaters in the Indianapolis area; AMC has two.

Under terms of an sale agreement, AMC must divest AMC Castleton Square 14 or Kerasotes Showplace 12 Glendale Town on the north side of Indianapolis and AMC Greenwood 14.

Buying all except three of Kerasotes’s 96 theaters will increase AMC’s presence in the Midwest, the companies said when announcing the agreement in January. Both Kansas City, Missouri- based AMC and Chicago-based Kerasotes are closely held.

Kerasotes, the No. 6 movie chain, plans to keep theaters in Minneapolis, Chicago and Secaucus, N.J., the companies said.

AMC has more than 305 theaters and 4,574 screens in five countries.

 

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  • Glendale should stay
    This is terrible. I don't see how seeling properties would help competition. These properties won't sell, they'll just sit empty. A terrible blow for either Glendale or Castleton.
  • Kepp the free popcorn refills
    If AMC kills the free (any size) popcorn and drink refills, I might as well go to any other screen in town. That is the big draw for me when it comes to picking a screen to see a movie.
  • Interesting
    Ok, if they divest - who is buying? Moreover, this could be a big blow to Glendale / Kite. We will see...
  • I hope for a better sound system
    If AMC buys the local Kerasotes, I hope they go in and work on their sound systems. I hardly ever go to a Kerasotes theater because the sound is so very loud and uncomfortable to the ears.

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  1. Saw the Indy Men's Chorus "Music of Gilbert & Sullivan" at the Indiana Historical Society on Sunday evening.

  2. Temporary workers are not "tools" they are people and companies that keep large amounts of temp staff are cheating.

  3. I miss having them around. I hope one of their stores is in the general Meridian/86th Street area. I will make good use of it.

  4. The Fringe! Plus, the simple fact that there are so many local faves in such close proximity to each other.

  5. I remenber, watching the toll road, being built, through South Bend, when I was 10 years old. I believe, back then that it was estimated, that the toll road, would be paid for in 20 years and then it would be free. I am now 71, what happened? Since the power is in the people, by that, I mean that, we the people are in total control of everything. I, suggest that no one ever use the toll road again, let it go broke. We the people can control the price of everything, from groceries to gas, if we would just do it. If we don't pay the asking price, the sellers will lower the price and if we wait awhile, they will lower the price to what we accept as reasonable. I would like to know why a highway like interstate 94, is so well maintained, a much better highway, than the toll road, but has no tolls. I would also like to know why, a sitting governor, with a term limit, maximum of eight years, can lease, public property, for 75 years. Even though I have transponders in both of my trucks and will not be affected by the increase, I have been and will contine to avoid using the toll road. I make many trips from northern Indiana to Chicago, every year, and I prefer the better highway, I94!

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