Grove Day and Movie Theater Mark the Rebirth of Coconut Grove

On June 5, Grove Day and the opening of the Paragon Grove 13 movie theater will mark the “rebirth” of Coconut Grove.

Grove Day was created by the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District (BID) as a way to provide entertainment, art, music, food and fun around the opening of the new Cocowalk theater. The day is part of a larger effort to bring families and locals back to the area.

“Event-based marketing is important in bringing people to the Grove and reminding them that it is fun,” said BID Executive Director David Collins.

Through collaboration with Bahamian Consul General Gladys Sands, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., a Bahamian cultural village and straw market will be set-up at the Mayfair Center near the corner of Grand Avenue and Virginia Street. The twenty stalls, which will feature such items as handmade jewelry, wood carvings and artwork for sale, will be flown in from the Bahamas. Miss Bahamas and musical artist Ancient Man will also be present.

Grove Day will also feature a Coconut Grove historical walking tour, which will be offered in the morning and afternoon. The 1:00 p.m. tour will be conducted by Miami Historian Paul George. The walk, which is free of charge, will stop at a number of historical sites in the area and end with a tour of the Barnacle Historic State Park.

The Paragon Grove 13 movie theater will offer showings throughout the day. The 1,500 seat cinema will feature Sony HD digital projectors, three 3D screens, two 200 seat theaters, select 21 and over showings, and reclining chairs which convert into love seats. Parking tickets will be validated for $2 for up to five hours. Reserved seating will be one of the biggest changes for customers who will be required to choose their seat when purchasing a ticket.

“I want people to know they have a seat because it takes the hassle out of going to the movies,” said Paragon Theater Partner Michael Whalen.

The theater’s concession stand will feature the typical movie-lover food as well as wine, beer, empanadas and personal pizzas. On Grove Day, patrons will receive free small popcorn with their ticket purchases.

Only five movies, Sex and the City 2, Get Him to the Greek, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Killers and Shrek Forever After, will be shown for about the first week and during opening weekend a dollar from every ticket purchase will be donated to Casa Valentina. Free movie tickets will also be given out at local restaurants and shops.

Paragon Grove 13 will also include a few unique touches, including valet parking, a fabric ceiling, screening of classic films above the theater entryway and artwork by local artists George Rodez, Fred Hunt and AnnaMaria Windisch Hunt.

Rodez will decorate the walls of the theater with his Afro-Caribbean Series, which features bright-colored images of tropical homes and landscapes.

“It is an honor that they selected me because there are so many artists in Coconut Grove,” said Rodez.

By late August, Whalen and his partners, Michael Wilson and Hank Lightstone, are hoping to open U Bar, a lounge that will feature a restaurant, 4 to 6 bowling lanes, a dance floor and personal screening room which can be rented for parties.

“We want to give a better experience at the same price point,” Whalen said.

A general admission ticket will cost $11.

Local restaurants and shops are looking forward to the opening of the theater because of the business it will bring back to the Grove.

“Since the movie theater closed that little bit of extra business has affected the Grove,” said Chris Antonelli general manager of The Cheesecake Factory in Cocowalk. “The late night business when a movie let’s out helps a lot.”

Cocowalk Marketing Manager Naomi Evans agrees.

“[The movie theater] is really going to revive activity,” Evans said.

Grove Day will come to a close with the Coconut Grove Art Stroll, which is a part of the Grove Gallery Walk. The Art Stroll will be located at the Mayfair Promenade from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will include the works of local artists, live music and free refreshments.

Residents of Coconut Grove are also excited about the opening of Paragon Grove 13 and the Grove Day events.

“For us local people the theater opening is great because we like to walk to the movies,” said Coconut Grove resident Sheila Boyce. “We are always happy to see things that will get people into the Grove.”

Grove Day will be the beginning of several events to take place throughout the summer. The main goal is to bring people to the Grove to have fun.

“The fifth is a really special day here,” said Whalen. “It is the rebirth of Cocowalk and the Grove.”

For movie times and more information about Paragon Grove 13 visit paragontheaters.com. Information about Grove Day and a chance to win free movie tickets can be found on the BID website at coconutgrove.com.

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