Uptown Entertainment Goes Downtown With Opening of Ren Cen 4 Theatres

Uptown Entertainment Goes Downtown With Opening of Ren Cen 4 Theatres

Renaissance Center Theatres Feature Updated Interior, New Equipment and New Amenities

DETROIT, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Uptown Entertainment, an Ilitch-owned company that operates the Palladium and Birmingham 8 theatres, celebrated the grand opening of the renovated Ren Cen 4 theatres, a four-screen cinema with state-of-the-art sound and projection located in the Renaissance Center, on Saturday.

Since taking over management of the theatres, Uptown has made several capital improvements including interior updates such as new carpeting, a remodeled concession stand and digital menu boards. In addition, Uptown improved the overall theatrical experience with new audio equipment to ensure clear, quality sound and picture every time.

"Our goal was to bring all the features that are synonymous with the Uptown experience to the Ren Cen 4," said Barb Zanetti, senior director, Uptown Entertainment. "Movie-goers will appreciate the affordability, convenience, comfort and quality of this venue. We're really excited about bringing the best movies to, what we believe is, the best theatre in Detroit!"

While the theatres opened to an invite-only crowd on Saturday, guests are invited to celebrate through October 5, 2008, with special grand opening pricing. Adult admission is only $6.00 (regularly $8.50) until then.

Other amenities include affordable and convenient parking; valet is free until November 1, and only $2 with a validated movie ticket after that date. Concessions will feature premium options like Seattle's Best(R) coffee, Cinnabon(R) pretzels, Nestle Toll House(R) ice cream cookie sandwiches, Edy's(R) Dibs(R), and Eisenbrenner hot dogs. In addition, customers will enjoy freshly popped popcorn, never pre-popped and warmed.

"We believe the addition of a family-friendly movie theatre will be a welcome addition to downtown," added Zanetti. "We're within easy driving distance of the north, south, east and west suburbs. And, with all the restaurants and businesses growing downtown along with the addition of several residential developments, we're excited by the opportunity to operate the Ren Cen 4 Theatres."

Like other Uptown Entertainment venues, the Ren Cen 4 will be available for rent for meetings, events and presentations. Services will include event planning support and catering.

Nearly 350 guests including government dignitaries, civic organizations and media attended the grand opening celebration, which featured the newly released MGM Studios animated feature, IGOR. Detroit Tigers mascot PAWS was also in attendance. In addition, guests enjoyed a special presentation from the Detroit Science Center's Dr. Eekstein, as well as a petting farm, clowns, Guitar Hero stations, a movie trivia prize wheel and more.

About Uptown Entertainment

Uptown Entertainment includes the Palladium and Birmingham 8 theatres and is owned by Detroit entrepreneurs Michael and Marian Ilitch. Long known for their investments in Detroit, the Ilitches own businesses in the food, sports and entertainment industries. Other Ilitch-owned businesses include: Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc., the Detroit Red Wings, Olympia Entertainment, Olympia Development, Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraising Program, Blue Line Foodservice Distribution, Champion Foods, and Uptown Entertainment. In addition, Michael Ilitch owns the Detroit Tigers, and Marian Ilitch owns MotorCity Casino Hotel. For more information about Uptown Entertainment, visit www.UptownPalladium.com.

Source: Uptown Entertainment

CONTACT: Jennifer Haselhuhn, +1-313-983-6517,
jennifer.haselhuhn@ilitchholdings.com, for Uptown Entertainment

Web site: http://www.uptownpalladium.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Grand Opening photos available. Please call Jennifer Haselhuhn to obtain photos.

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