A Minnesota-based movie theatre chain is buying an Iowa-based rival chain which currently operates screens in more than a dozen cities in Iowa and Nebraska. Tony Tillemans is vice president of Cinema Entertainment of St. Cloud.Cinema Entertainment is buying Central States Theatres of Des Moines. Central States now has 70 screens at 14 locations. In Iowa, they’re in: Mason City, Fort Dodge, Iowa City, Clinton, Burlington and Ottumwa.Tillemans says moviegoers won’t notice any changes.In some towns, there will be expansions and renovations. Tillemans says there are no plans to raise ticket prices and there are no plans to close any theatres.Cinema Entertainment currently owns 154 screens in Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and in Waterloo, Iowa. Tillemans would not release the purchase price. He says the takeover will be complete within two to four weeks.
