Movie theater reopening signals rebirth for Green Valley Town Center

After sitting mostly vacant for several years, Green Valley Town Center, owned by American Nevada Co., is planning a turnaround with new businesses.

For years, Charles Van Geel, vice president of commercial leasing and sales operations for American Nevada Co., would screen calls from the community about Green Valley Town Center, 4500 E. Sunset Road.

"They always wanted to know what happened," Van Geel said.

In recent months, those calls have turned more optimistic as American Nevada has been working to bring in new retailers.

"The revitalization of that shopping center is under way," Van Geel said.

According to Van Geel, Green Valley Town Center has 12 store units and a movie theater. Units range from 877 square feet to 27,000 square feet if spaces are combined.

Two of the spaces available are former restaurants - one that is next to Barley's, a casino and microbrewery.

"They still have kitchen equipment," Van Geel said.

Van Geel said he is targeting smaller businesses to generate more traffic.

"I think they will bring more character," he said.

Van Geel also said the center didn't remain empty because of a rough economy.

"The owners of Barley's considered expanding the casino, adding a hotel element," he said.

Van Geel said when the realities of that expansion were deemed unlikely, American Nevada got word to fill up the shops.

One of the new retailers is expected to be Galaxy Theatres, which purchased the old movie complex. Van Geel said the 40,700-square-foot facility has eight cinemas.

The theater is expected to open in December or January, he said.

The theater is expected to be updated, taking the old-style sloped seating and converting it into stadium-style seating, Van Geel said.

"They are supposed to put in high-end chairs that are more comfortable than normal chairs," Van Geel said.

Van Geel also said Dip Sticks Bakery opened Aug. 1. The bakery specializes in desserts on a stick or in a jar.

Sonja McDonald, owner of the bakery, said she remembers the shopping center from years ago when the movie theater was open.

"I enjoyed the atmosphere," McDonald said.

When she was looking to open her location, she knew she wanted to do it in Henderson and thought about the center.

"It is family-friendly," McDonald said.

The bakery has mailed out advertisements to the surrounding community to announce its presence. For the most part, McDonald said, customer foot traffic has been sporadic.

"People stop in because they are amazed something has opened back up," McDonald said. "I am excited to see what else opens up here."

The business is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, visit dipsticksbakery.com.

When it first opened in the '90s, the center had a splash area for children to play in between the two restaurants. Van Geel said that will not be reopened. However, he said, American Nevada owns the carousel that used to be at The District at Green Valley Ranch.

"Depending what restaurant goes in, we might put that in," Van Geel said. "It has a probability greater than 50 percent that would happen."

In addition, he said, the shopping center might be repainted.

Van Geel said he has met with potential businesses ranging from yogurt and ice cream parlors to salons and coffee shops to fill the remaining vacant slots.

"I've talked to a few," Van Geel said. "I think some are waiting for the theater to open up. They shouldn't wait too long because they might not have an opportunity in the future."

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.