LAKEWOOD – Whether reclining in style at the movies, or trying out the taste of delectable tacos and chips, patrons will see new things happening at Chautauqua Mall.

In recent weeks, the mall has seen the reopening of Dipson Theatres’ Cinema I and II, complete with new seating, and El Azteca, a new eatery to the food court but a remembered name in the community.

Cinemas I and II now have new, deluxe seating created by VIP Cinema Seating that will allow patrons to view films in style and comfort, Julie Bihler, mall manager.

“It just adds to everything going on here,” she said. “Both theaters have them, and Dipson is putting all of their first run movies here.”

Bihler said the theatres re-opened in early June, after closing for a few weeks to put in the seating.

“It has been very busy (since it reopened),” she said. “Recently, one show was sold out. The seating has been very anticipated, and it has been very successful.”

Jim White, division manager at Dipson Theatres, said movie-goers have been incredibly excited to view a movie from the VIP electric reclining seats.

“So far, all the patrons are extremely ecstatic and they said they are going to tell their friends, which we encourage,” White said with a smile. “We’re always looking for ways to improve the customer experience, and we’re gearing up Chautauqua Mall Cinema I and II to be a VIP opening theater.”

He added that while in the past, the theater would run movies after they had finished at Cinema 8, that will no longer be the case.

“We will be opening new films (at the mall),” White said. “We want to make sure we drive customers into the mall so that they can experience the luxury and comfort (of the new seating). We’ll be opening ‘TED 2’ there on June 26, as well as ‘The Gallows’ in July.”

The theaters did lose some seating capacity, he said.

“We can now have a seating capacity of 78 seats per theater. Each row has four power leather recliners, whereas before, there were around 10 seats per row,” White said. “The new recliners require 7 feet of space (each), because if someone is reclining, there still needs to be room for other patrons to walk through. So, you lose about 60 percent of your seating capacity.”

As for the movie experience, he said the seats are only one of the reasons why folks should view films at the mall.

“It’s the big-screen presentation, and the excitement of the other patrons. You never know what the person two rows down from you is going to get excited about,” White said. “You might find out they are kindred spirits, and make some new friends. Also, we always say, ‘It’s not a movie without popcorn.'”

He added that more changes for Cinema I and II will be coming in the future, but there aren’t any definite dates as of yet.

“We instituted phase one of the project, which was the seats, and then we will institute phase two,” White said, adding that updates to a variety of areas are planned. “Once we do the final updates, the seats will be sold by the number, so you can buy the seat you want to sit in. However, already, (the seating) has turned around the number of patrons exponentially.”

For movie times or more information on the theaters, visit dipsontheatres.com, visit their Facebook page or download their app on iTunes or the Google Play.

TACOS, BURRITOS AND MORE

Bihler said that the improvements to the movie theater are just another reason patrons should visit the mall, in addition to the newly improved selection of on-site eateries and restaurants.

“The shoppers have a more well-rounded visit (here) where they can do dining as well as shopping,” she said, adding that El Azteca has also opened its doors within the mall. “They were very popular in our community, and it was very well received that they reopened (here).”

In December 2015, the original El Azteca restaurant in Lakewood burned down, and the building was considered a total loss.

Jose Rodreguez, owner of El Azteca, said he is looking forward to drawing the shopping crowd in to enjoy the delights the restaurant has to offer.

“I like everything here,” Rodreguez said, adding that he could choose just one dish as his favorite. “One day, I’ll have a fajita, one day a burrito … we try everything.”

He added later that if he was forced to choose, he would say he enjoys beans and rice the most.

As for the move, he said the restaurant needed a new space, and Rodreguez decided to re-open at the mall. “We were just looking for a new location to open up,” he said, adding that he is glad to be back to work. “I’ve always loved working in the restaurant.”

Rodreguez added that he has perfected his recipes over time, offering Mexican dishes such as burritos Texanos, enchiladas, tacos and more. El Azteca also offers their signature chips and salsa to every customer, one basket per table.

He said these staple items are special to his eatery, because they are specially made.

“We make our own salsa,” Rodreguez said with a smile. “Also, the tortillas are different from what people get around here.”

El Azteca is open on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.