KSHB 41 reporter Claire Bradshaw covers eastern Jackson County, including Blue Springs and Independence. Share your story idea with Claire.
—
On April 30, Miller Theatres in Blue Springs posted on social media that it would be closing its doors the next day.
Miller Theatres’ statement blamed Hollywood for not releasing enough quality films to attract customers.
The closure of the independent, family-owned theater left some patrons with unused gift cards that cannot be redeemed elsewhere.
One of those patrons is Tiffany Bunton, who spent $150 on gift cards a few weeks ago for her family’s Easter baskets. She said she has tried to reach out to Miller Theatres but has not heard back.
"Is $150 gonna break my family? No. No, it's not. We're fine," Bunton said. "But there are other people out there right now who splurged and/or got a gift, or were expecting to do something with that. It's not as easily replaceable for them. I think just to disappear and stop checking messages and have no contingency plan, no information, that's pretty disappointing behavior."
Following the news, a new business venture called Bow Blast KC and Five Aces stepped up, offering to honor the unused Miller Theatres gift cards.
The new entertainment business opens in a couple of weeks at 601 SE Industrial Dr. Its owners say they will offer the unique concept of dodgeball, bow and arrows, live music and movie nights.
"We're new in the area. Honestly, the community helped us out a lot to get to get where we are now, so we wanted to help the community out as well and give back,” said Jason McCarthy, with Bow Blast KC and Five Aces.
Another resident, Rachael Nelson, had unused gift cards as well that she said she was holding onto to see movies later this year. Nelson said she has also sent multiple messages via social media and hasn’t heard back.
Nelson said she plans to take her business to Bow Blast KC and Five Aces.
KSHB 41 News attempted to reach Miller Theatres for comment on this story. However, the theater’s website is already taken down, and its email address is no longer active.
