Shuttered Mall of America movie theaters will reopen with gourmet food, cocktails

It turns out, movie theaters will continue to be a part of the many offerings at Mall of America, after all.

And the sequel, or the next iteration of them, promises a snazzy "VIP" experience with oversized reclining chairs and swivel tables, "gourmet" food options from a chef and an assortment of wines and handcrafted cocktails from a mixologist.

CMX, a subsidiary of Mexico City-based Cinemex, is building a 64,000 square-foot movie theater complex on the fourth floor in the same space previously occupied by the mall-operated theaters that closed last month.

At the time, officials at the Bloomington megamall were tight-lipped about the "first-to-market entertainment venue" that would replace the cinemas and said more details would be forthcoming.

The new theaters, which will include about 1,110 seats in 14 rooms, are slated to open this fall after nine months of construction.

The upscale features reflect a trend toward upgraded amenities to appeal to consumers who can watch movies from the comfort of their home via on-demand and streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu.

"Our theater in Mall of America, the most iconic shopping mall and one of the most visited tourist attractions in the U.S., is a prime location for CMX as we continue our aggressive and strategic U.S. development," Jaime Rionda, CEO of CMX, said in a statement.

The new venue will offer a "premium large-format room" with an extra-large screen and a high-tech sound system. The recliners will also have dim LED lights and storage compartments for purses and shopping bags. Moviegoers will also be able to order food and tickets in advance through the CMX app.

Cinemex is the sixth largest movie theater chain in the world with more than 300 locations. It also is opening a location in Miami as part of the new Brickell City Centre mall.

The mall's fourth floor, targeted for adult nightlife and entertainment, has become popular with international firms. Last month, a 40,000-square-foot attraction called Smaash with a multilevel go-cart track and virtual reality and video games. It also has a restaurant and a bar.

Other tenants on the mall's top floor include Rick Bronson's House of Comedy, Hooters, Cantina #1, Dick's Last Resort and Sky Deck Sports Grille and Lanes.

"Our guests will be pleasantly surprised by the CMX cinema — it will exceed all of their expectations," said Jill Renslow, the mall's senior vice president of marketing and business development. "We always strive to offer the latest, most innovative concepts to our guests at MOA and CMX is unlike anything currently offered in the market."

Kavita Kumar • 612-673-4113