Kerasotes Theatres
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Kerasotes ShowPlace Theatres, LLC is a movie-theater operator in the Midwestern United States. Based in Chicago, Kerasotes ShowPlace Theatres, LLC is the seventh-largest movie-theater company in North America with 944 screens in 100 locations in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The company was founded in 1909, when Gus Kerasotes, a Greek immigrant, opened a storefront nickelodeon in Springfield, Illinois. His four sons joined him in the business and by the 1940s, the company had 11 theaters.
In 1985, one of Gus' sons, George Kerasotes, split from the family and started the GKC Theatre chain. GKC was purchased in 2006 by Carmike Cinemas.
The chain undertook a major expansion program during the 1990s and 2000s adding several hundred screens to the circuit. Showplace West 12 in Springfield, Illinois opened on September 26, 2003. The day before the grand opening, a free movie night was held to showcase the, otherwise unheard of in Springfield, stadium seating. The company continues to grow in many markets.
In January of 2008, Kerasotes acquired AGT Enterprise's Star Cinema brand. The purchase includes four theaters in Wisconsin and two in Iowa. The theaters will retain the Star Cinema name and honor current gift cards.
Kerasotes ShowPlace Theatres, LLC remains a privately held, family business. It is currently managed by the third generation of family with Tony Kerasotes as chief executive officer and Dean Kerasotes as chief operating officer.
