Three years after getting new owner, local theater gets new signs

Nearly three years after it got a new owner, a 16-screen Waco theater is finally getting new signs.

Alamo Sign Co. employees were at work Tuesday taking down the 22-year-old signs at what used to be the Starplex Galaxy 16 at the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Valley Mills Drive.

After the original signs are removed, new signs will go up, branding the theater as the AMC Classic Galaxy 16.

AMC Theatres announced the acquisition Starplex Cinemas in July 2015 for $172 million.

“We’ve acquired a few hundred theaters in the last two-plus years, primarily from our acquisition of Carmike Cinemas and Starplex, which included the AMC Classic Galaxy 16, in Waco,” AMC spokesman Ryan Noonan said Tuesday.

“As you can imagine, with a few hundred theaters to rebrand, along with the amount of work that goes into design, planning and construction for each theater, it’s not a quick undertaking,” he said.

Since the sale, the Waco theater has been updated and renovated.

New seating was installed two years ago and an IMAX screen was added last summer.

Automated drink machines have been installed in the lobby, concession stands have been renovated, and full bar service is now available.