Galaxy Theatres opens

Galaxy Theatres opens Friday in the former Mann 4 complex in the Marketplace, and to entice customers, it’s offering free popcorn all weekend.

“That should get a few people out there,” said company president Rafe Cohen.

The theater in Glendale is the company’s first move into the Los Angeles area.

The company, founded by Cohen in 1996, has 13 theaters in four western states — California, Nevada, Washington and Texas.

Other theaters in California are located in the San Joaquin Valley, where Cohen opened his first theater in Porterville.

Cohen said Galaxy Theatres are known for their friendly customer service and providing certain amenities, such as popcorn seasoning, for free.

Admission costs are slightly higher than the nearby Vintage Theatres, which opened in part of the former Mann 10 site in the Exchange a few months ago.

General adult admission at both theaters is $10.50.

At Galaxy, children and seniors pay $7 and matinees cost $9, each 50 cents higher than at Vintage.

However, Galaxy’s prices are less expensive than Pacific Theater’s 18-screen complex across the street, where adult general admission is $12.50, seniors pay $10.50 and children pay $9.50. Matinees are $10.50 for adults.

The local Galaxy theater, which will have about 30 employees, will screen first-run features and won’t try to attract foreign film aficionados or enthusiasts of independent movies or documentaries.

“We’re not targeting a particular segment,” Cohen said. “We’re going to appeal to the mainstream across the board.”

And he plans to offer the same atmosphere that customers find at his other theaters.

“We’re going to create a friendly, positive customer service environment where you can enjoy the movies,” Cohen said.