AMC Loews Webster - Rochester Wiki

Location

2190 Empire Blvd, Webster, NY 14580

Phone

585 251 8851

Accessible

Yes

Website

AMC Webster 12

Reviews

D&C Article about new chairs

AMC Loews Webster (aka Webster 12) is a multiplex movie theater on Empire Boulevard in Webster. The theater has 'RealD 3D', closed caption, assisted listening devices, and is wheelchair accessible. They offer AM ticket discount prices for movies shown before noon and have military pricing available on weekends. They also periodically offer Sensory Friendly Films for families affected by autism.

This building sits on the site of what was originally a drive-in movie theater until the mid-to-late 1970s when it shut down

The original building was an 8-plex movie theater which, at the time it, was one of the - if not the - largest multiplexes in the country. After several other theaters converted to 8- and 10-screen theaters in the early 1980s, Loews Webster (the "Loews Theaters") added four more screens (along the back "T") to become the theater with the most screens (12) once again. That did not last long as other companies quickly added screens to existing theaters across the country and began building much larger multi-screen complexes. Across from the entrances to the back four screens, you could see what was the original outside concrete wall.

Concessions were run by Ogden Allied Services for several years until Loews took over the concessions circa 1987. The theater had always sold hot dogs, which was a bit unusual for a movie theater at the time but, during the following few years, the theater also experimented with new concession offerings including pretzels and ice cream.

Around 1989 the theater was renovated and relabeled "Sony Theaters." Part of the renovation meant removing the large panoramic scene of classic movie actors and actresses that appeared on a large section of the main lobby wall, visible from a distance through the theater's large, upper front windows. It was over the main concession stand and included famous figures including Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, Humphrey Bogart, Frank Sinatra and others.

The concession stands and the ticket offices were significantly changed, creating a larger front concession counter and moving the ticket booths from two windy, outdoor windows (one larger window on one side inside a glass enclosure and a single, smaller window on on the other side) to a large inside counter.

Several years later (mid-to-late 1990s) the Loews name appeared on the building once again after Loews Theaters was merged with Cineplex Odeon Corporation to become Loews Cineplex Entertainment.

In 2006, Loews Cineplex Entertainment merged with AMC Theatres to become AMC Entertainment. Although the company became AMC, Loews remained an AMC brand and many theaters operated under the Loews name, including the Webster theater.

In 2012, AMC was purchased by Dalian Wanda Group, a Chinese conglomerate which planned to invest $500 million renovating AMC Theatres nationwide.

In 2013 the Webster multiplex went through a multimillion dollar renovation to add several amenities and improvements:

New huge, leather, electric reclining seats in all theaters. This change cut the number of seats down to about a quarter of the previous amount. They are spaced further apart and sit on steps to allow for a limited stadium seating effect. These seats are sets of two with a center armrest, with cup-holder, that lifts up to transform into a loveseat. When fully reclined the seats are almost vertical.
New drapes, curved screens and floors as well as a large amount of handicapped seating was added in each theater.
Brand new concessions including a turbo chef machine, an oven and coke freestyle machines. The new equipment allows for more menu items like pizza, curly fries, chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks and chicken sliders. They also added new LCD signage with large, bright animated menu's. The concession stand itself was moved out of the center of the lobby and over to the left side. The side and rear concession stands were removed entirely.
The box office was renovated and includes Animated LCD Menu's. Automated ticket machines were also installed further along the right side of the lobby. Seating is now reserved so the box office also has a screen to show available seats in each theater.
The bathrooms in front were moved and renovated to include things like Dyson blade hand dryers. The rear bathrooms were enlarged slightly and remodeled.
New carpets, tile in the lobby, lighting, wall art, color scheme and even some new wall treatments.
The exterior was painted and a new AMC sign put up. The old Marquee sign in the front was change into another large AMC sign. The parking lot was repaved and repainted.

Webster AMC also hosts Blessed Hope Community Church's Sunday morning worship services at 10:30am.

Comments:

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2011-09-26 11:52:53 What a poor excuse for a movie theatre. Bad experience started as soon as I walked in the door. When I bought the ticket, the cashier asked me if I was a member of 'Stubs' (AMC's customer loyalty card program), I said no. He then asked me if I wanted to join, to which I politely said no. He then angrily said "Do you even KNOW what it IS??" I could not believe the rudeness!! He even had the audacity to then hand me a card to do a customer satisfaction survey!

I then went over to the concession stand, and after waiting a couple minutes to get the attention of the staff member, he was slow, uttered one word responses and just seemed to be so annoyed that he actually had to do his job. I only ordered raisinets and a coffee, so all he had to do was hand me a box and an empty cup, and I felt like I was putting him through an ordeal. Then the coffee was lukewarm and pretty watery. At the Regal or Tinsletown you can get a Starbucks for the same price ($4).

Inside the theatre, there are dried rivers of soda on the floors, there are no cup holders (probably the cause), the seats are hard and uncomfortable and do not look like they have ever been cleaned.

Then, the silk screens that are supposed to pull back once the ads are over and the movie starts, did not retract until half way through the film, masking about 2 feet of screen on each side.

Do yourself a favor and go to Pittsford Cinema, one of the Regals or Tinsletown. In this state of disrepair, and with the bad staff they should not be charging full price. —Dlacy

Update: After filling out the online survey, I did get an e-mail back the same day from the manager, apologizing and stating he would address the issues with the people involved. He also offered a free movie pass and free soda/popcorn coupons (I declined). Until major changes are made, for me, it is not enough to tempt me back.

2011-09-26 16:47:38 When I was a kid, this was THE place to go.

Now... not so much. Decent enough for a weekend matinee with the kids, since we live close. It's getting pretty worn, and it shows. I've been there twice in the past couple of months when I've ordered small or medium popcorn at the concession stand, they've given me a large, and then tried charging for the more expensive price. Hard to tell whether it's been just an oversight or intentional padding.

And yeah, being asked about the loyal program is really annoying. —RichMulvey

2013-07-13 09:40:27 Wow. This place has improved since the recent renovation. Everything has been fixed or improved. But how does a non stadium seating movie theater compete with the big boys? Reclining seats of course.

This theater has gone from drab and dull to bright and vibrant. —phasedma

2013-07-13 20:54:46 Yep, the place is totally redone, top to bottom. The difference is amazing. Not only is it physically far better, but the employees act as if they actually enjoy their jobs!

Downside: You can't show up two minutes before the show and expect to get a seat together with other people. Even midweek shows for movies that have been out for a while end up with the theatre almost completely filled up. —richmulvey

2023-07-12 12:06:49 I worked at this theater from 1991-2001. It was still Loews Theaters when I started in 91. My recollection is that the change to Sony Theatres did not take place until around 1995. The Loews Cineplex wiki says the company was Sony Theatres from 1994-1996. I remember a snowy day in early 1996 where we had no customers so another employee and I just played games on the Sony PlayStation they had put in the lobby. :) —ChrisWestland