Cineplex and Landmark acquires Empire Theatres - including Whitby

On June 27, 2013, Empire Company announced that it is selling it's theatre business to Cineplex Inc. and Landmark Cinemas, according to a press release from the company.  The company plans to focus on it's other business area - namely food retail, including the Sobeys brand.  The deals are still subject to regulatory approval. Although many of the Ontario and Western Canada locations are being sold to Landmark Cinemas, the former AMC multiplexes in Whitby and Kanata are being sold to Cineplex, along with 24 others in Eastern Canada, at a total cost of approximately $200 million.  These theatres will be rebranded as Cineplex upon completion of the deal in late August. This is notable, given Empire's acquisition of the AMC mulitplex in Whitby just last year, and the renovations and rebranding to Empire over the last several months.  Additionally, Cineplex will be replacing the Barco projectors with Christie projectors. The locations in Richmond Hill and Ottawa are not part of the deal, and will likely close when their leases expire this year. UPDATE - The Whitby and Kanata locations, formerly considered part of the package going to Cineplex, are now included in the Landmark package.  Whitby's theatre will be called the Landmark Cinemas 24 Whitby.  Rebranding has begun and will continue over the coming weeks.  Staff have indicated that Empire tickets will be accepted for the next 6 months (starting Nov, 2013).