WTF?

[jenk]

A recession may be looming, but a group of investors thinks Americans are ready to pony up $35 for a movie ticket.

Village Roadshow Ltd., Act III, Lambert Entertainment and the Retirement Systems of Alabama pension fund have partnered to bring the luxury cinema circuit Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinemas to the U.S.

The partners will spend $200 million to build 50 theaters nationwide over the next five years, with the first two venues set to open in South Barrington, a suburb of Chicago, and the Seattle suburb of Redmond in October.

Each complex will sport theaters featuring 40 reclining armchair seats with footrests, digital projection and the capability to screen 2-D and 3-D movies, as well as a lounge and bar serving cocktails and appetizers, a concierge service and valet parking.
- Variety, emphasis added

This is just ... strange. $35 for a movie? In jeans-and-coffee Redmond? I know it's one of the more affluent suburbs, and selling sushi and booze instead of pop & candy will be a draw, but ... $35 for a movie ticket and the opportunity to buy overpriced booze?

I guess I could see renting a theater with just 40 seats for party, but even so ... I really don't expect this a Redmond location to hit the black, I just don't.