Popular Sandy Springs movie theater sold, renamed

This 1983 AJC file photo shows George Lefont in front of one of his many theater’s in metro Atlanta. Lefont sold his last remaining theater, the Lefont Sandy Springs, to Brandt Gully.

This 1983 AJC file photo shows George Lefont in front of one of his many theater’s in metro Atlanta. Lefont sold his last remaining theater, the Lefont Sandy Springs, to Brandt Gully.

The Lefont Sandy Springs movie theater is no more.

Well, the name is no more. The theater is still there and operating, but ownership has changed hands, and with that comes a new name.

George Lefont sold his last cinema to Brandt Gully, a Cobb County resident, graduate of Samford University and a partner at a financial advisory firm. Gully has renamed the theatre as “The Springs Cinema and Taphouse” and has renovations planned for it.

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Located in the Parkside Shopping Center on Roswell Road, the Lefont theater in Sandy Springs was independently owned and showed a mix of mainstream, indie and foreign films. It featured those classic stadium-style cushioned bucket seats and full concessions.

Lefont opened his first theatre in Buckhead in 1976, but the Sandy Springs location — which opened in 1987 and was bought by Lefont in 2004 — was the last one he owned.

According to its Facebook page, the sale officially went through on Nov. 9.

“Thank YOU Atlanta for an amazing 41 years!! I've climbed to summit several of the top mountains in the world but the movie business has by far been my greatest thrill,” Lefont wrote. “…We wish (Gully) all the best success, his success is our success and please continue to support the theater.”

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Gully told Reporter Newspapers that he plans to install a full bar, luxury electric recliners and more. The theatre will remain the anchor host for the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, Gully said.

Prior to becoming a managing partner at EFA Partners LLC, Gully worked for General Electric for nine years as its vice president of entertainment and media financing, according to his LinkedIn.

The theatre will remain open during its renovations.

On the theater's new Facebook page, Gully says, "We're honored to carry on Lefont's legacy with a new, modern and luxurious twist."

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