An artist's rendering of ShowBiz Cinemas

A bowling and movie theater business plans to move into Lindale and could become part of a much larger development.

If all goes as planned, Kevin Mitchell will open ShowBiz Cinemas — which would include a bowling alley, movie theater, serve-yourself concession stands, a full bar and cafe — in late 2016.

Mitchell, 46, of Dallas, grew up in the theater business. He learned the trade while working for Cinemark Theaters, owned by his father.

“It’s a great business with great people in it,” Mitchell said on Wednesday.

He left his father’s company in 2007 and started ShowBiz Cinemas. He took over and bought theaters in Orange, Granbury and Marble Falls and has since built theaters in Waxahachie and Kingwood.

Mitchell, who serves as president and chief executive officer, announced on Tuesday plans for four more theaters in Texas, including one in Lindale. Some of these theaters will be different than his others and will have added attractions — the bowling alley, bar and caf￩ — for families.

“We wanted to create something that was really special and attract a lot of families,” he said.

Mitchell thought Lindale was too small for one of his theaters, but after meeting with city officials and the Consortium Firm International, “they convinced us that Lindale was the place to be.” He said the new concept will allow his business to go into smaller markets like Lindale to create a destination and draw from a larger area.

ShowBiz Cinemas in Lindale will have 10 movie screens and 14 bowling lanes. It plans to be the first tenant of what could become a larger development in the works by Consortium Firm International, a group of people putting together development projects across the country.

 

THEDFORD CROSSING

Tom Koehler, of Lindale, is part of The Consortium Firm International. He said the Lindale development — Thedford Crossing — has been in the planning and designing process for several years and will be near the old railroad crossing station off of U.S. Highway 69 North.

When Lindale was founded, there was a community called Thedford, and within the development area, there was a railroad that ran from Tyler to Mineola, carrying vegetables and fruit.

Thedford Crossing reportedly will include 550 total acres — 450 contiguous acres in Lindale, north of the interstate; as well as about 100 acres on the south side, between Interstate 20 and Jim Hogg Road, Koehler said.

The group plans to break ground on the development, which could include several entertainment venues, in February, he said.

The group has been working with the city of Lindale and its Economic Development Corp., as well as several companies, including Transwestern (real estate), John T. Evans Co. (restaurants and retail brokerage), and Jones Co., a development firm out of Kansas City.

John Clary, president of the Lindale Economic Development Corp., said they have negotiated with the group on their plans to develop 50 acres, east of Lowes and Walmart. He said it would include extending Centennial Boulevard farther east.

He said plans the group has for after the first phase of the project — 50 acres — has not been divulged to city officials. He said they are aware of Mitchell’s plans to bring ShowBiz Cinemas to the development and said that business is “the key first ingredient” of the project.

“We will kick off the center for them,” Mitchell said, adding that they will be the anchor tenant for the development. “They’re trying to create a big destination.”

Clary said the development group was interested in Lindale in 2005, but put plans on hold after the economy took its toll. Now that the economy is back up and there is good growth in Lindale, the group is back at planning the development.

“We’re excited about it. We think it’s a good opportunity for Lindale,” he said, adding that it could bring good businesses and jobs to the city.

Clary said there is no signed agreement between the developers and city officials, and the agreement is 100 percent performance-based. The city could reimburse the group for some of the funds spent on infrastructure, such as expanding the road, only if the development project is completed, he added.

But, he said, people need to be patient. “It takes a lot of time to put these things together,” he said. “We’re following their timeline.”

 

‘SOMETHING SPECIAL’

Mitchell said developers have a lot of work to do to clear the land and build roads and parking lots before they can start construction of ShowBiz Cinemas, which will be about 60,000 square feet. It will feature SDX screens; state-of-the-art digital projection with 3D capabilities; oversized leather seating; and digital sound.

Mitchell hopes to open in late 2016 and said employees fluctuate with the seasons, and can be as little as 30, and up to more than 100.

“I think it’s going to be a huge impact on the city,” he said.

ShowBiz Cinemas gets involved with the communities it is in, hosting special moving screenings for stay-at-home moms, as well as for special needs kids. They also offer free movie tickets to police officers and firemen.

“We’re really excited to do something special for the community,” Mitchell said. “I think the community will enjoy us coming in there as much as we will enjoy coming.”

He also announced plans to open theaters in Baytown and two in Houston, doubling the number of movie theaters he owns. They are exploring other markets and plan to continue adding new theaters in Texas, as well as expand outside of the state, he said.

For more, visit www.showbizcinemas.com.