The Nielsens arrived for the Fall 2008 semester. Alicen was accepted to BYUH to complete her IDS degree in Art and Anthropology. Don had been looking for a job. Despite his previous experience in finance business and having worked at a bank in California, he was not successful in finding a job. Alicen saw a letter from a community member posted on campus that said that if the community had known Laie Cinemas was going to go out of business they would have gladly paid more. Alicen felt like something should be done and talked with her husband about starting a family business. Alicen believed they were lucky and blessed with the timing of everything.

In October, business plans were started and have been moving forward ever since. According to the owners, the theater will reopen on June 26th or soon after.

Laie Palms Cinemas has been modeled after other successful independent theaters. Alicen said, “As an independent theater owner, we can tailor the films to fit the community.” They are going to show first runs a week late and are planning on testing out independent films, foreign films, Bollywood films, and LDS films.

Many changes have been made to the theater since the papers were signed, turning the theater over to the Nielsens. Renovations include new soundproof walls, new flooring, a new ticket counter, new seats, new roofing, and a new concession stand. They plan on having traditional movie candy as well as real butter popcorn. Alicen said, “We want this to be a welcoming, lively, vibrant place.”

The owners have not come to a final decision on the ticket prices but said tickets will not be as expensive as Kaneohe and not as inexpensive as a dollar theater. Laie Palms Cinemas is planning on doing some special theater offers with Subway and possibly other businesses in the Laie Shopping Center.

“The community and students need this theater. People have been so incredibly supportive,” says Alicen. For a family of movie buffs, having a family-run theater is a dream, come true.

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Theater Website!
written by Grant Smith , August 23, 2009

Here is the website for the theater: http://www.laiepalmscinemas.com You can check movie times, prices, and even watch previews on it!

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