Hollywood Blvd Cinema Bar and Eatery - History

History

Based in Woodridge, IL, Hollywood Blvd. Cinema has been operating since March 3, 2003 in the Woodgrove Festival Mall. The cinema expanded to a second facility that opened in September 2009 in nearby Naperville, IL. The concept of “dinner and a movie” originated in Indianapolis, IN in 1991 with Hollywood Bar & Filmworks, operating until October 31, 2006 (the exact date of its 15th anniversary). The facility was originally an abandoned 130 year old warehouse that was converted to a three screen cinema with terraced level seating, executive office chairs and a full bar and dinner menu served to patrons’ seats. CEO Ted Bulthaup was the first theatrical exhibitor to gain permission from each of the major film studios to lease first run movies to a cinema facility with a liquor license; a ruling that many dinner and a movie concept cinema chains throughout the country currently enjoy.

Hollywood Blvd. Cinema is currently undergoing its fifth expansion in as many years of operation and has experienced over 500% growth since opening. The cinema opened with four individually themed screens (Chinese/Red; Los Angeles/Green; Sunset Blvd/Blue and Chinatown/Purple) and expanded in 2005 to 6 screens with the addition of the Oscar/Gold auditorium and the Crypt/Black auditorium. An additional expansion completed in the 4th quarter 2008 included 3 additional screens, a grand staircase and elevator, additional restrooms and a museum space that displays authentic Hollywood memorabilia.