New movie theater opens in one of South Carolina’s opportunity zones
January 15, 2019
Northeast Columbia has a new place to enjoy watching a movie. Spotlight Cinemas recently opened their newest movie theater, Capital 8, on Columbia Mall Boulevard in Northeast Columbia. This location is part of The Meeting Place Church of Greater Columbia’s 23-acre property, which supports the church’s vision to revitalize the surrounding community.
“When I met Bishop Freeman with The Meeting Place Church, I knew we’d become fast friends and business associates,” said Rick Phillips, Owner of Spotlight Cinemas. “Hosting movie goers in an affordable, clean and relaxing movie theater is very important to me and I look forward to connecting with the people that visit us at Capital 8.”
The new theater not only replaces a former movie theatre once located in the area but also restores a property encompassed within a South Carolina Opportunity Zone. Opportunity Zones are a new community development program created by Congress that is designed to encourage long-term private investments in economically distressed communities designated for growth and development.
The development of the Capital 8 theatre is a collaboration between Spotlight Cinemas and The Meeting Place Church. It’s a location where individuals and families can enjoy the movies at an affordable ticket price of $8 per person in a clean and comfortable environment.
“I have to thank Bishop Eric Freeman and Rick Phillips for seeing and acting on a vision for a family- friendly movie theatre in our city, particularly in this neighborhood,” said Mayor Steve Benjamin. “This project is one of the first of what we hope are many successful, impactful Opportunity Zone developments in Columbia, and we look forward to seeing more for this exciting time for our city and the people of Columbia.”
In early 2017, The Meeting Place Church acquired the 200,000 square foot complex on Columbia Mall Boulevard with a goal to create a spiritual meeting place for all people from all backgrounds, including economic growth in its mission. The church’s global prayer network has more than 100,000 followers.
“We have enjoyed introducing ourselves to the community since opening this location in 2017,” said Bishop Eric J. Freeman, pastor and founder of The Meeting Place Church of Greater Columbia. “We look forward to more businesses finding a home in our complex and bringing a robust center for family- friendly fun, entertainment and worship to the local community.”
For more information about The Meeting Place Church of Greater Columbia, please visit www.themeetingplacechuch.org or call 803-419-8884. To review movie times and other information about Capital 8, please visit https://spotlightcinemas.com/capital8/.
