Updated with additional details from news conference.
CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – After closing its doors in August, the movie theater in Governor’s Square Mall is confirmed to reopen in May 2025 with big changes, new owners, and a new name: Phoenix.
Phoenix Theatres has signed a long-term lease to bring first-run movies and first-class amenities back to the mall on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard, including theaters equipped with state-of-the-art Dolby ATMOS sound. The independently owned Michigan-based movie theater company plans to invest $5 million to refurbish the 10-screen theater, creating a new movie-going experience in Clarksville.
Heated seats, spatial audio tech, self-serve butter
Renovation plans have been submitted for the 42,312-square-foot building, and residents can expect the following amenities:
- Large loveseat-style, heated recliners with ample leg room.
- Specially formatted auditoriums featuring Dolby ATMOS and 4K Christie Digital Projection.
- All 10 auditoriums equipped with premium Dolby Digital sound and Christie Digital Projection.
- Phoenix mobile app and online tickets that allow customers to reserve seats.
- Self-serve Pepsi and butter stations.
- Combined ticketing and concession purchases in one line.
- Family-friendly prices with special pricing for military members and their families.
What is Dolby ATMOS?
Five screens in the 10-screen theater will be equipped with Dolby ATMOS. This is a new technology that goes beyond two-channel stereo and even multi-channel Surround Sound. Instead, ATMOS uses speaker system integrated into the walls and ceilings, even the chairs, to manipulate sound all around the viewer in specific points, creating more detailed placement of sound.
The other five screens will feature Dolby Digital 7.1 Surround Sound, according to Jordan Hohman, vice president of project development for Phoenix Theatres.
Hohman said the company focuses on providing premier amenities along with the little details that large national theater chains cannot provide at a local level.
“We were one of the first in the United States to offer 100% reclining seating in every auditorium,” Hohman said. “Our goal is to offer the highest-quality first-run movie-going experience by offering state-of-the-art digital projection and Dolby ATMOS audio for the first time in Clarksville, along with comfortable luxury amenities.”
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“This announcement signals another major quality-of-life enhancement for our city’s residents, and visitors, alike,” said Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts. “The enjoyment of watching a first-run movie in a premier, comfortable, first-class setting is returning to our primary regional shopping center, Governor’s Square Mall, through the much-welcomed investment from Phoenix Theatres.”
Modern features, affordable tickets
On Wednesday morning, the project developers and owners of Phoenix Theatres and the Carafaro Company (parent company of Governor’s Square Mall) met at the mall to unveil their plans. As the ceremony concluded, Jacobson revealed the anticipated opening date of the new and improved movie theatre: May 5, 2025.
Cory Jacobson, president of Phoenix Theatres, told Clarksville Now that in addition to the new amenities and improved experience, they also considered affordability to create a “nice, blended price policy.”
“I’m my father’s kid,” Jacobson said. “My father would drive 50 miles out of his way to save a nickel on a tank of gas. … I feel that going to the movies should feel like a value, and you shouldn’t be worrying about what you’re paying when you walk out the door.”
Jacobson said that he wants moviegoers to be regulars at the Phoenix Theatre and should be able to afford to visit multiple times throughout the month. He also noted that Clarksville is a military community and said, “I think we have to put our thinking caps on to get a very good military price to make this affordable for the folks that are serving our country.”
Who is Phoenix?
Michigan-based Phoenix Theatres was founded in 2000 and has four Michigan theater in Wayne, Monroe, Livonia and Grand Rapids. Four theaters are located out of state in Dubuque, Iowa, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and two Ohio theaters located in Defiance and North Olmsted.
The Governor’s Square Mall location marks the 79th screen for Michigan-based Phoenix Theatres, which operates theaters in Michigan, Iowa, Massachusetts, and Ohio. This is their first location in Tennessee.
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