Panama City beach is happening, Believe it or not.
PANAMA CITY BEACH — Completed just in time for the summer blockbuster season, Pier Park’s new 16-screen movie theater will open later this month, a Southern Theatres spokeswoman said Wednesday. Company spokeswoman Jane Birdwell said the 3,200 seat Grand 16 multiplex officially will open May 18 at noon. It will feature stadium seating, digital sound, a game room, advance ticketing over the Internet and a specialty café, she said.The theater’s stadium seating features an 18-inch height difference between each row for better viewing, Birdwell said. “It’s a fabulous location. It’s breathtaking,” Birdwell said.Grand 16 will feature mostly blockbuster films, Birdwell said, with some independent movies. The theater’s movie selection would be distributor-driven.The theater will be the third business to open at Pier Park, following Target and Longhorn Steak House.
Les Morris, a spokesman for Simon Property Group, said Panera Bread also will open in May at Pier Park, although he was not sure of an exact date.The 5,000-square-foot Panera location will seat 175 people and face Back Beach Road. Morris said “a number of stores” will be opening at Pier Park this summer and added that Simon would be making more announcements in the coming months.
