Emagine Palladium Offers Upscale Movie-Going Experience

BIRMINGHAM, Mich. (WWJ) - The newly-redesigned Palladium is now open and it's quite a sight to see.

WWJ's Terri Lee, who had a chance to check out the completely redesigned theater during a special press preview day, says the changes are evident the moment you walk in the door.

Then, after stepping off the elevator, Emagine CEO Paul Glantz says guests will be greeted by "member services ... as well as our concierge and our host and our hostess stand, so these folks will be helping seat folks in our restaurant."

That restaurant is the Ironwood Grill, a full-service restaurant with an extensive menu.

Glantz and his partners also installed a cocktail bar, and there are, of course, snacks and popcorn galore.

In addition to "traditional" popcorn, Glantz says the Palladium features "Poppin Olive" popcorn.

"Poppin' Olive is popcorn made in olive oil with sea salt, and then ... we've got cheese corn and caramel corn, so we wanted you to have popcorn in any flavor you want," Glantz added. "We can also mix it with some M & M's, to make a little sweet and salty mix, as well."

And inside the Palladium's five theaters, co-owner John Goldstein says theater-goers will find "a bigger seat, a more comfortable seat."

Those seats are actually custom-designed recliners. And if the mood so strikes you while you're watching a movie, you can completely lie back without disturbing anyone in front of or in back of you.

Another unique aspect of the Emagine Palladium is it's membership program, which Glantz says completely transforms the movie-going experience.

"It's an innovative program that we've conceptualized, and it largely is designed to ensure that folks who are really great mover-goers and really consistent customers get their first choice of seats on busy times."

The $350 annual membership fee is valid for an entire household, and Glantz says only a limited number of memberships are being sold.

"We want to be sure that we don't oversell memberships because if you get to the root of it, the heart of what we're trying to do is ensure that folks who want to come out to see a film on a busy Friday or Saturday night have the opportunity to do so, and they can choose their own seats after they've bought their tickets."

For more photos of the venue and more information, visit the Emagine Palladium's website here.

See you at the movies!

Follow Terri on Twitter @TerriJLee

Member:
Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA)
Detroit Film Critics Society (DFCS)
African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA)
Digital Arts, Film & Television (DAFT)
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