Kerasotes ShowPlace Theatres, LLC. will build a 71,000 square foot movie theater at the Brandywine Crossings shopping and entertainment center in Brandywine, Maryland, according to a press release issued by the developer.

The 16-screen location will be the first in the Washington, D.C. area for the theater chain, which operates 100 locations in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Colorado, and Wisconsin. The new theater is expected to open in the spring of 2010.

"We are excited to be opening our first theatre in Maryland at Brandywine Crossing," said Dean Kerasotes, Chief Operating Officer, Kerasotes Showplace Theatres. "We are confident that our theatre’s superior technology and amenities will provide residents of the Southern Maryland area with a truly unique entertainment experience set within the region’s premier shopping destination."

You can read the full press release below.

Press Release

Premier U.S. Theatre Comes to Brandywine Crossing

Construction Continues as Faison Announces Commitment of Kerasotes Theatres

BETHESDA, MD – May 5, 2008 – Faison’s Northeast Retail Development group, based in Bethesda, MD, is pleased to announce the commitment of Chicago-based Kerasotes Theatre, one of the largest and best regarded theatre companies in the nation, to bring its 71,000 square-foot multiplex cinema to Southern Maryland.

Located at US 301/MD Route 5 and Chadds Ford Road in Brandywine, MD, Brandywine Crossing is the newest edition to Faison Enterprises’ commercial holdings. Serving as the regional shopping and entertainment center for a major portion of Southern Maryland, Maryland’s fastest growing region, Brandywine Crossing will occupy 750,000 square feet of retail space upon completion. Brandywine Crossing was recently recognized by Maryland’s prestigious The Daily Record as Southern Maryland’s Top Commercial Project.

Anchoring Phase II of Faison Enterprise’s Brandywine development, Kerasotes Theatres will offer trade area residents a unique entertainment experience with its state-of-the-art, luxury auditoriums and amenities. An additional and complementary exciting line of retailers, including Kobe Japanese Steakhouse Restaurant, first quality specialty shops, and a variety of national and local restaurants will open in conjunction with Kerasotes Theatres in the spring of 2010.

As its first theatre to open within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region, Kerasotes looks forward to bringing Southern Marylanders its signature ShowPlace Theatre. “We are excited to be opening our first theatre in Maryland at Brandywine Crossing,” said Dean Kerasotes, Chief Operating Officer, Kerasotes Showplace Theatres. “We are confident that our theatre’s superior technology and amenities will provide residents of the Southern Maryland area with a truly unique entertainment experience set within the region’s premier shopping destination.”

The 71,000 square foot Kerasotes ShowPlace Theatre will offer movie-goers many special amenities designed for luxury and comfort. Each of the sixteen auditoriums will feature stadium seating on eighteen-inch risers for unobstructed viewing and “Euro style” chairs with wide, fixed seat cushions, rocker style backs, and oversized flip-up cup holder armrests. State-of-the-art projection and digital sound, along with wall-to-wall and ceiling-to-floor screens, will provide the best possible presentations.

Faison Enterprises is eager to bring Prince George’s County residents the top flight movie-going experience that Kerasotes consistently offers its audiences. “It is a pleasure and an honor to join forces with such a renowned and respected entertainment business as Kerasotes,” said Howard Biel, Senior Managing Director of Faison. “We are eagerly looking forward to working with Kerasotes to make Brandywine Crossing a very special place for Prince George’s County and Southern Maryland residents.”

Phase I of Brandywine Crossing, with an expected opening date in the fall 2008, will feature 53 acres of retail anchored by Target, Costco, and Safeway plus a 18-acre office/flex space commercial district.

About Faison Enterprises, Inc.

Faison Enterprises, Inc. is a privately-held development company with a diversified product portfolio that includes retail, commercial and residential project development, management and acquisitions services. With more than 40 years in the business and holdings of approximately $1 billion, including $600 million of new projects under development, the Charlotte NC based company manages and develops properties throughout the Mid-Atlantic and South and maintains regional offices in Bethesda MD, Washington DC, Charlotte NC, Atlanta GA, and Orlando FL. For more information, visit www.faison.com.

About Kerasotes ShowPlace Theatres, LLC

Kerasotes ShowPlace Theatres, LLC is the sixth largest motion picture exhibitor in the United States. Founded in 1909, the company grew from a single store front nickelodeon in Springfield, Illinois to one of the industry’s premier companies. Based in Chicago, Kerasotes ShowPlace Theatres is managed by third generation family, Tony and Dean Kerasotes, who have directed the company’s aggressive growth since the late 1980’s. Kerasotes ShowPlace Theatres operates 100 theatres with 944 screens in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Colorado and Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.kerasotes.com.