Where a Megaplex Will Rise, a Drive-In Meets Its Demise

Get the popcorn ready.

Pacific Theatres will raze three screens at its Anaheim Drive-In location on Sept. 6 to make way for a 25-screen, 5,500-seat, state-of-the-art megaplex that is scheduled to open during the summer of 1997.

The screen-dropping ceremony will take place at noon when construction crews pull the screens to the ground. The Los Angeles-based movie theater operator has invited city officials and community leaders to celebrate the event with a barbecue luncheon.

The Anaheim complex at the Riverside Freeway and Lemon Street will cover 100,000 square feet. The rest of Pacific Theatres’ 25-acre tract will house a 2,000-car parking lot, restaurants, shops and entertainment attractions.

Pacific Theatres operates 350 screens in California and Hawaii. By next summer, the privately held company will add 143 more screens.

Greg Johnson covers retail businesses and restaurants for The Times. He can be reached at (714) 966-5950 and at greg.johnson@latimes.com