Here's a little more on the acquisition of Consolidated Theatres by Regal Entertainment Group. The deal became final this week, and Regal spokesman Richard Grover confirmed that theaters will accept Consolidated gift cards and that there are no anticipated changes in ticket prices.He also said that Regal will continue to operate the Raleigh Grande 16 and the Town Square 10 in Garner for 90 days, after which they will be sold as part of the antitrust requirements of the deal. No word yet on who the buyer may be.
An update on our Planet Smoothie stores, which closed because a new franchisee was taking them over: The store at 6325 Falls of Neuse Road in Raleigh already reopened. The store at 2302 Hillsborough St. in Raleigh will reopen May 23, and the store at 966 High House Road in Cary will reopen in mid-June.
In Cary, the restaurateur behind the Peak City Grill in Apex is opening The Ocean Grill this week at 4300 N.W. Cary Parkway. The restaurant will serve fresh seafood and eight varieties of oysters on the half shell.
Other items: In Garner, Cinelli's opened in the Rush Hour Karting go-kart racing facility, replacing the Greenshield's restaurant that used to operate there. Rush Hour is at 5335 Raynor Road. ... In Raleigh's Forestville Crossing at Louisburg and Forestville roads, ProClips, Cuppy's Coffee and Roadrunners Pizza will open this summer.
From my blog this week:* In Garner, Hispanic grocery store Compare Foods opened in the old Winn-Dixie in the North-South Station shopping center at 1514 Garner Station Blvd.* Raleigh Chinese restaurant Red Palace closed at 3945 New Bern Ave., though the restaurant's Web site indicates it may reopen in a new location.