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Chapel Hill welcomes new, sophisticated movie experience with Silverspot Cinema

Silverspot Cinema, a “high-end, sophisticated movie theater” at University Place, will be holding its grand opening Friday. It’s currently open for business.

Silverspot Cinema, a “high-end, sophisticated movie theater” at University Place, will be holding its grand opening Friday. It’s currently open for business.

The newest addition to the Chapel Hill scene, Silverspot is described by CEO Francisco Schlotterbeck as a high-end, sophisticated movie theater experience located at 201 S. Estes Street at University Place.

Schlotterbeck said Silverspot opened their first location in Naples, Florida in 2009, and just opened a second movie theater in Coconut Creek, Florida. Senior Director of Marketing Randi Emerman said she was enthusiastic about opening their newest location in Chapel Hill.

“We found a great location and worked with a great developer,” Emerman said.

Emerman said what makes Silverspot different from other movie theaters in the area is they will show operas, ballets and even live theater.

“We play a lot of alternative product like art films and foreign film,” she said. “We want this to be a community center where everyone’s going to embrace it and enjoy themselves. It’s about that comfortable, perfect presentation so you’re immersed in the film.”

Silverspot offers large, cushioned leather seats in its theaters to achieve a comfortable aesthetic. Emerman said Silverspot also serves all their food in black containers and refrains from serving items that could be eaten loudly to minimize distractions during the movie.

At the concession stand, they serve food slightly atypical of a movie theater, including lobster rolls and sliders. Silverspot also offers a wide selection of alcoholic beverages customers can purchase while viewing their film.

Schlotterbeck said assigned seating is another thing that makes Silverspot unique. He said customers choose their seats ahead of time — they have the option of purchasing the ticket either at a kiosk at Silverspot or online with a $0.99 surcharge for ordering online.

In addition to the movie theater, Silverspot is opening a restaurant that will have a separate launch.

“The restaurant is whimsical innovative cuisine,” Emerman said. “There will be a huge patio with a DJ on the weekends, and we’re looking into live music.”

She said there will be special student pricing at $11 per movie ticket.

“It’s important to embrace the community here which is a college community,” Emerman said.

But the student discount doesn’t reduce the price enough for everyone at UNC. First-year Amanda McCurry said she still would not visit Silverspot as a student due to the high prices.

“Maybe if I was still back at home I’d go,” McCurry said. “Here I’m already paying for everything else and running off of money I saved up.”

Although Silverspot’s official grand opening is Friday, they’re open for business before then.

“We are officially open for business starting (Tuesday),” Emerman said.

@alexisa1025

city@dailytarheel.com

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