Business

Left: Andrea Canales is the programmer for Majestic Neighborhood Cinema Grills, which has venues in Chandler, Gilbert and Tempe. Right: The lobby of Majestic’s Chandler venue creates a welcoming atymospherfe for patrons. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

Chandler cinema programmer aims for the unique

The owners of Majestic Neighborhood Cinema Grill are mapping a strategy aimed at meeting the challenges movie theaters face today.

In addition to the impact of the pandemic and government-ordered shutdowns during the last two years, movie theaters also have to worry about competition from streaming – especially as some studios are now releasing films for streaming at the same time they go up on the big screen.

Majestic Neighborhood Cinema Grill hired Andrea Canales to bring innovative programming to its venues in Chandler, Gilbert and Tempe.

“You have to stand out, you have to be unique,” Canales said. “We pride ourselves on offering a really fun, unique experience for people. We want to make great memories happen at our locations. We find that the easiest way to do that is to play up to nostalgia, things that people really enjoy doing.”

Canales, who assumed her new role earlier this month, has been doing programming for a number of independent

See MAJESTIC on page 29

Zoning attorneys regale audience with project tales

BY CECILIA CHAN

Staff Writer

Seven years after it was chased out of Gilbert neighborhoods – twice – Springstone finally opened Gilbert’s first mental-health hospital in 2020.

Under the guidance of land-use and zoning attorney Adam Baugh, the 72-bed Copper Springs East went from being the brunt of public outcry to becoming a welcomed addition to the community.

Baugh formed a coalition, getting police and fire officials lined up behind the project and medical professionals who spoke of the need for such a facility in town, as teenage suicides were ramping up. The Planning Commission in December 2017 unanimously approved the conditional use permit for the facility.

“The way my community is formed, the way it grows, is not by accident,” said Baugh, who has lived in Gilbert since 2003. “It’s interesting and it’s deliberate and for the greater good.

We as a town benefited with having that hospital here dealing with anxiety and mental-health issues.”

For Baugh, every shopping center, master-planned community and mixeduse development has a tale to tell and he and Withey Morris law partner Jason Morris are sharing them on a podcast called “Dirt to Development.” Baugh came up with the concept after years of regaling others with behind-thescene anecdotes of projects in the state.

“I thought to myself, I think people don’t really appreciate what happens and goes into putting it together,” Baugh said. “You see a hospital or a shopping center and don’t realize everything that goes into it. That is the story we tell, not the project at the end of the day but all the ingredients that went into getting it approved.”

The duo launched the podcast in October, releasing every two weeks a digital audio file produced in their Phoenix office and featuring a developer or an industry expert.

Founding partner Morris said they also will talk about how this industry works and the types of projects they are seeing in the fastest growing county in the country.

“We not only have the stories we’ve told but the stories yet to be told,” the Phoenix resident said.

Topics covered so far include what it took to navigate The Yard to fruition at 7th Street in Phoenix

“We did the first in Central Phoenix,” Baugh said. “There were all kinds of issues…but it became a tremendous success with a dozen Yard concepts across Arizona and now nationwide. People don’t know and appreciate all that. We went in to pull the first one off.”

There’s a Yard location in Gilbert’s Heritage District as well.

Other topics will include how to work with neighbors, how to balance the role of politics in a case, strategies for land-use cases and tips and insights on how to achieve successful entitlements.

In one of the podcasts, Baugh and Morris educate the public about the importance of zoning and what could go wrong if there are no no zoning laws – such as in Houston, where Zone d’Erotica, an adult novelty store set up shop next to a Dillard’s for a number of

Adam Baugh and Jason Morris, attorneys and partners in Whithey Morris, have created an engaging series of podcasts on developments they have helped usher in.

(Special to SanTan Sun News)

ZONING ATTORNEYS

from page 28

years until it was replaced by an eatery in 2019.

The Texas city has no zoning process but relies on private agreements or CC&Rs, according to Jim Stockwell of Clyde Capital, a commercial real estate investment and development company.

“If you own property, you can restrict the types of uses,” Stockwell said in the podcast. “But in general, the city council isn’t going to have an objection if you want a strip club next to your daycare center.”

Listeners will not only get insight on how a particular development came to be but the politics and the players involved and the strategy used.

“People only see what’s reported in the paper, they don’t understand the anatomy of how it gets to that point,” Baugh said. “They don’t appreciate the politics of a situation or the cranky neighbor next door or the diffi cult seller or environmental issues.

“We show them what it means to take a cornfi eld to a master community or infi ll to adaptive reuse. There’s so much insight and value to help clients, viewers and the community can appreciate what it takes to build a community in Arizona.”

Some Gilbert projects that will be featured in upcoming segments include Agritopia/Epicenter, the Heritage District and how Withey Morris landed American Furniture Warehouse in Gilbert, along with other tough entitlement sites.

“I did American Furniture Warehouse, which at the time was the biggest deal in town,” said Baugh, who will talk about “how it came to be and how the Town moved heaven and earth to attract a tremendous economic

generator.”

Baugh also will share some of the craziness that surrounded a project such as with the mixed-used Epicenter.

“The neighbors came out and opposed me and a lady mocked me for wearing a suit,” he said. “I was getting design approval and she didn’t like it and got upset that a ‘bunch of suits were in here doing a high-priced project.’”

And at one neighborhood meeting, an angry resident wanted to physically fi ght with Baugh over a proposed project.

“Just the politics behind a zoning case is interesting,” Baugh said, “where the votes line up and the intersection of zoning, land use and politics in Arizona are all closely related.”

The duo also will share insight of where the Arizona market is going, which Baugh declined to do ahead of that podcast.

Baugh, who is an experienced prob-

lem-solver with a talent for removing obstacles that impeded development, originally planned to practice immigration law.

But he realized that wasn’t his career path after a year-long volunteer stint at Eloy Detention Center. He ended up in his current fi eld after stumbling on it.

He said what best prepared him for the job was working as a summer salesman years ago knocking on doors, trying to persuade random strangers to buy pest-control services.

Today, he uses that skill to help landowners and developers succeed by fi nding ways to say yes when cities say no.

Although the subject matter on the surface can appear dry, Baugh and Morris weave humorous banter into their storytelling.

Baugh said the podcast allows the public to view him and Morris in a different light other than appearing at the podium in front of a city council, stiff and matter of fact.

Baugh said he’s had a few learning curves with the new endeavor.

“I’m not a professional podcaster, there’s lot of operational things,” he said. “It’s a diff erent format. You can’t show someone something, you got to describe it. I also learned I got to be more thoughtful in what I say,” making it entertaining yet not off ensive.

Feedback from listeners so far has been positive.

“Everybody loves it,” Baugh said. “In Arizona land use impacts us all whether it’s you being a neighbor next to a project or a resident in town benefi ting from a new shopping center.”

Baugh said the plan is to keep on producing the podcast as they have a wealth of material to draw from– their law fi rm handles cases statewide.

“So long as there’s an interest in the community, we will continue to record,” he said. “I think it’s going to help local residents know they have a part in the process, they have a role to play and if anything, they would know they can help infl uence what is happening in their community.”

“So long as there’s an interest in the community, we will continue to record, I think it’s going to help local residents know they have a part in the process, they have a role to play and if anything, they would know they can help infl uence what is happening in their community.” – Adam Baugh

Listen in

To listen to the podcast “Dirt to Development,” go to witheymorris.com/ dirttodevelopment.

MAJESTIC from page 28

movie houses in the state for years. “We are very excited to welcome Andrea to

“We are very excited to welcome our Majestic family, she Andrea to our Majestic family,” said Craig Paschich, Majestic’s CEO. “She has has deep ties to the deep ties to the Valley’s fi lm community, ranging from her academic relation- Valley’s fi lm community, ships to connections with everyday ranging from her cinephiles, and she truly respects and can accommodate the varied interests academic relationships of our cinema guests.” All three theaters feature food and to connections with drinks delivered to your seat from their everyday cinephiles, and grill and bar. The fi rst major event she is planning she truly respects and for Majestic’s three theaters is a Valentine’s Day special with showings of “The can accommodate the Wedding Singer” and “Scott Pilgrim vs. varied interests of our the World.” She said the food will be tied to the movie to enhance the overall experience. cinema guests.” – Craig Paschich

One option also will be a “Gal-entine’s Day” screening of “Magic Mike” for single women and their friends. Canales said she still needs to get a handle on what type of programming

Got News? Got News?Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com or pmaryniak@timespublications.com

will play well in Chandler and Gilbert.

She said they rely on the people who work at each location for some ideas, but also get a lot of ideas from patrons themselves through Majestic’s social media platforms.

“It’s really listening to people on what they want,” Canales said. “Watching trends and patterns, and being a really keen observer of society and culture.”

Since she’s only been on the job a few weeks, she said she doesn’t quite know what those audiences are looking for.

“In Chandler and Gilbert, we’re doing a little experimenting to fi nd out what is going to be the next consistent series for these locations,” she said. “We know there are movie lovers out here, we just have to fi nd out what they want to see.”

Majestic to a degree has the Tempe audience fi gured out. One popular program Majestic has at its Tempe venue is a themed scary movie night. On Feb. 2, they’re planning a night of original sequels because the date is 2-2-22. So Majestic will show the second fi lm in a series such as “Friday the 13th” or “Halloween.”

Canales said if Majestic continues to focus on giving people something unique, the owners won’t have to worry about competition.

“People aren’t always looking for convenience,” she said. “They want to make memories, they want to have great experiences. We fi rmly believe you’ll never be able to replace that.”

We Offer Federal Travel Identifications TSI Title & Registration

• Vehicle Registration • Title Transfer / Bond Title • Duplicate registration / iitle • Replacement Plate Or TAB • Permit 3, 30, 90 day • Level One Inspection:

Abandoned title inspection • Mobile home • Handicap placard / plate • MVR / Driver license record • Fleet registration

Authorized Third Party Provider for Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division (ADOT/MVD) 1900 W. Germann Rd. # 9

CHANDLER (near Oregano’s Pizza) N.E. corner of Germann & Dobson Rd. 480-855-1638 Fax: 480-855-1639

HOURS:

MondayFriday

Saturday

Title & Registration

8:30am6:00pm

9:00am 4:00pm Driver License

9:00am 4:30pm

9:30am 3:30pm Road Test Skill

9:00am 4:00pm

9:00am 3:00pm

Closed Sundays

Dinosaur store offers fossils, activities for kids

BY MELODY BIRKETT

Contributor

Walk into Christian Kaleta’s Mesa store, and you’ll be greeted by a sight you won’t find anywhere else in the retail world: Stan the Tyrannosaurus Rex, aka T. Rex, a $20,000 dinosaur skull replica.

“That’s our most popular attraction,” said Kaleta, who owns Tyrannostorus at 1816 W. Baseline Road, adding a skull that big takes about four-to-six months to produce.

“When you find a dinosaur or a cast, it’s a piece of art,” Kaleta said. “Whoever made that cast, owns the rights to that cast.”

T. Rex is one of many imitation and real skulls of hippopotamuses, giraffes, warthogs, polar bears, grazing animals from Africa, alligators and other creatures that range in price from $99 to as much as $2,000.

“I struggled with getting some of these (skulls) because we’re not a museum or university,” explained Kaleta. “I was told ‘no’ on some – that it’s not for the retail world but for education. Well, this is educational.”

Skulls aren’t the only things for sale at Tyrannosaurus.

“We have a full collection of dinosaur replicas such claws, teeth, thumb spikes, triceratops horn, raptor claws - all kinds of stuff kids go wild for as well as the full toy section with different species of dinosaur and prehistoric reptiles and mammals,” said manager Bryan Troglia.

The store even carries a big basket of coprolite, also known as dinosaur poo. “Very fun for the kids,” Troglia said. “You can buy as much poo as you like.”

“We also have different pieces of animals like their teeth and tusk,” said Troglia. “We have real warthog tusks, real alligator teeth and alligator tooth jewelry.”

The most popular activity is the sluice, according to Kaleta. Kids can dig for fossils and sift for treasure with purchased bags of sand.

They pour the sand into the sifting trays, excavate it and then pull out stones and gems. There are nine varieties of dirt for purchase ranging from $4.99 to $40. Some bags have gems and minerals. Other bags have arrowheads, seashells and fossils and even real emeralds.

“You can grab a $10 bag and the kids can come to play for a half-hour to an hour and learn,” said Kaleta, calling it an economical way to learn for families with several children.

“I have a 12-year-old son and we’re always looking for something different to do,” Kaleta said. “During the summer, we went to a fossil safari in Wyoming. We had so much fun. We brainstormed on the way back home.”

That’s what gave Kaleta the idea for the store. He wanted kids here to have a similar experience.

“I’ve always had an interest in dinosaur bones and fossils,” Kaleta added. “And, of course, my 12-year-old son has a major interest in this kind of stuff.”

Kaleta also owns the Predators Reptile Center in the same shopping center. Since his background is in exotic animals, he thought opening a store Tyrannostorus would be a great fit.

“We have a lot of educational stuff,” said Kaleta. “One of the biggest things with my son is everywhere we go, he loves museums and likes touching everything. That’s what kids do – they touch.

“I wanted to build a place for him to not get yelled at. We encourage kids to come in to play and touch even the expensive stuff. That’s fine. I want them to get close and personal with T. Rex to bring that imagination together.”

Another area of the store features some extinct mammals from the Ice Age and many of the relics were found in Arizona, including remnants of cave bears, dire wolves, the American lion and saber-tooth cat.

The store also carries fossils such as ammonites, trilobites and shark teeth. A shark tooth runs around $19.99. Some are still in the stone they were excavated from and retail for about $49.99.

“The interesting thing about sharks is they don’t have skeletons; they’re all cartilage,” explained Troglia. “The only thing you find is their teeth.”

The store’s sea life section contains shark jaws, corals, seashells, barnacles, replicas of a big 16-foot great white shark as well as its teeth. You can buy just a tooth or the whole jaw.

“We also have a wide variety of fossil plates that have been excavated out of quarries up in Wyoming, South Dakota,” said Troglia. “Shrimp, little fish like mackerel-sized fish, little squid, all kinds of cool stuff.”

Another section has model kits and authentic Arizona candies.

“It’s the kind of stuff you remember getting at your elementary school field trips. We have all of that along with a Geo table and gem bag.”

And there’s a wide selection of gemstones and precious metals such as bismuth, amethyst, citrine, agates and quartz.

“But probably one of our most popular specimen collections are our shadow box insects,” said Troglia. “They literally fly off the shelves but they’re also done by local artists which makes them unique to our store.”

Shadow boxes start at $79.99 and go up to about $250. The butterfly palettes are done by a separate artist and range from $400-$500.

“It’s fun not just for kids but for the entire family,” added Troglia. “When you come into our store, you always leave with something whether it’s something you purchase in the store or just a new piece of knowledge about natural history.”

Kaleta notices that parents are just as excited as their kids when entering the store.

“It’s interesting to watch because the kids start to do the activities such as the sluice or the digging but then the parents make their way in,” said Kaleta.

“And it’s interesting to watch the parents and kids interact,” he added. “Everything these days is electronic and hands-off. Kids are playing video games and parents are working. This is a chance to come in, get together and learn together and that’s a lot of fun to watch.”

Store hours are weekdays from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Information: tyrannostorus.com, 480-597-4467

Tyrannostorus manager Bryan Troglia, left, and owner Christian Kaleta, flank Stan the T. Tex, a replica of a tyrannosaurus skull.

(Melody Birkett/SanTan Sun News Contributor)