by Elizabeth Wehman, editor

THE NCG CINEMAS celebrated their new remodel with a ribbon cutting ceremony put on by the Shiawassee Regional Chamber. Holding the oversized scissors is owner Jeff Geiger (middle, from left) and Mark Henning, COO, as well as many chamber representatives and NCG employees. (Independent Photo/Melissa Shepard)

In 1985, Shiawassee County had no multiplex cinema only changing when Gary Geiger decided to build a theater in downtown Owosso which soon opened as NCG Cinemas (Neighborhood Cinema Group). Geiger soon purchased multiple cinemas in Genesee County and in Alma in 1989. More followed throughout Michigan and by the end of the 20th century, two more theaters joined the ranks in Lapeer and Coldwater. Now the chain has expanded to include theaters in Tennessee, Metro Atlanta, Chicago, Indiana, and South Carolina. Currently the chain consists of 20 theaters with 147 screens, but headquarters are still located here in Owosso.

Beginning on Saturday, Jan. 29, the Owosso headquarters needed updates. The last major change added the two additional screens onto the theater and that was in 1997. New painting, updated new carpeting, aisle lights, and an all new lobby is a major part of the updates finishing up on the weekend of Feb. 4 and 5. New countertops were installed in the bathrooms, as well as digital movie cases to highlight the latest in movie suggestions.

Frozen pop and soda machines will now all be free-style type machines, offering an assortment of self-serve products for movie goers. The menu will remain much the same only adding more customized alternatives to snacks and popcorn.

“We’d like to thank the community and this is a way we can do that,” commented General Manager of Owosso NCG Cinemas Director of Marketing/Regional Manager Tim Dilts, “We needed a new facelift for our brand.” NCG Cinemas will also be adding one more cinema to their line of 20 theaters by the end of the year.

The new updates will be out and ready for use as the cinemas release two of the latest movies including “50 Shades Darker” and “The Lego Batman” films.

Updates to Local NCG Cinemas was last modified: February 15th, 2017 by Karen Elford