Earvin "Magic" Johnson begins another championship quest in southwest Atlanta, Georgia
By Roney Smith of TNL Communications Corporation
Atlanta, Georgia (TNL Communications Corporation). World champion entrepreneur Earvin "Magic" Johnson who formerly played with the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA and the 1992 Summer Olympic USA Basketball Team "Dream Team I" is now beginning to breathe new life into an area of Atlanta that has been underserved and neglected by corporate America. The much awaited opening of the Magic Theatres is expected to bring an overdue injection of economic development to the consumers, merchants, and future businesses that surround the Greenbriar Mall area of southwest Atlanta.
The new Magic Theatres
Atlanta complex (Photo by TNL Communications Corporation).
Southwest Atlanta is an area that has the demographics that should attract any type of business that serves an upscale consumer base, but the area demonstrates that age, income, and lifestyle demographics are not often enough to bring manufacturers of products and services to the customer's immediate reach. Far too long have the residents of southwest Atlanta had to travel to other areas within metropolitan Atlanta that contained less collective disposable income than their own neighborhoods. But with the opening of the Magic Theatres, more upscale businesses are expected to open new locations or relocate to the area.
The Magic Theatres represent the
next level of moviegoing as much of the press literature and promotional
items state. There will be initially 12 screens showing first-run
movies, but the facility has the capacity to expand to 20
screens. The theatres feature oversized chairs for greater
comfort, refills on the soft drinks purchased, and stadium
seating which means that no one will be able to block your view
of the screens without standing completely up. There are going to
be many employees hired from the immediate area and the merchants
of Greenbriar Mall are expected to increase their sales from the
pass through traffic that the Magic Theatres will generate. There
has already been some discussions that Johnson will purchase the
Greenbriar Mall itself. "I just don't want a piece of the
pie...I want the whole pie" is a phrase that is now
circulating that is attributed to Johnson himself whenever Johnson
and Greenbriar Mall are discussed at the same time.
Earvin "Magic"
Johnson along with City of Atlanta Mayor & Mrs. Bill Campbell
and Mr. & Mrs. Evander Holyfield during Atlanta's post-parade program
celebrating three-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield's
win over Mike Tyson (Photo by TNL Communications Corporation).
Ever since Johnson came into Atlanta to oversee the final developments with the grand opening of the Magic Theatres, he has attracted a crowd and greater anticipation for the opening of the movie complex. Johnson spoke congratulatory words at the post-parade celebration and program for three-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield on Thursday, November 14, 1996 and numerous media companies and Atlanta residents turned out for the initial grand opening for the Magic Theatres on Friday, November 15, 1996. Mayor Bill Campbell has been very excited about the opening of the new business as well as the many other blessings the city of Atlanta has received.
Magic speaking at the
Holyfield celebration program (Photo by TNL Communications
Corporation).
As I personally left home to attend the grand opening of the Magic Theatres, I told my wife that I was going to MEET Magic Johnson at the event. To my surprise, more people were there than I thought would be on such a cold, windy morning. I had already seen and heard Johnson speak the day previously, so therefore meeting him would be the next level. After leaving the grand opening with a positive frame of mind, I went to a barber shop within Greenbriar Mall where I normally get my hair cut. It was stated that the owner had been there since 6 a.m. to cut Johnson's hair. But due to the grand opening and other events, Johnson did not appear. But while I was getting my own hair cut, Johnson and several of his assistants walked into the barber shop. After shaking Johnson's hand, I mentioned to him what I had mentioned to my wife and it appeared to stick with him as he mentioned it later. I learned that there is a definite process that can be repeated in order to make anything positive take place within your life and you will find yourself @Ease™ as a result.
Johnson's staff member
Karanna waving (Photo by TNL Communications Corporation).
Johnson's staff members
Ken and Taylor hugging at our request (Photo by TNL
Communications Corporation).
While Johnson was in the barber shop, many people began to gather outside the business and looked through the windows. Johnson was definitely @Ease™ and so were his assistants. At one time to me, it appeared that Johnson was surveying the business for its potential profitability. Johnson then had a very humorous conversation with one barber in particular and with everyone else in the barber shop about buying the entire mall except for the corner where the barber worked.
Naturally, my tools for TNL were in my car and not with me in the shop. After several employees mentioned getting a camera, I stated that I had a camcorder in my car. A quick dash to the car and back found everyone and especially Johnson still @Ease™.
Johnson was very calm in front of the camera and did not seem to mind being filmed while receiving a haircut. As a customer of the shop and telecommunications professional, I did not want to miss an opportunity in either dimension. Everyone seemed to have fun while Johnson was making well wishes for my wife and my first cousin who happens to be a big Johnson fan. I definitely did not want to bump into the chair and cause a bad hair cut to take place. When a barber mentioned that I get into the picture, caution about bumping into the chair kept me back and it shows in the photograph. Thoughts had also come to mind about numerous incidents where celebrities and photographers clashed with bodily damage and destruction to property taking place. I did not want to get hurt nor have the property of TNL destroyed as well. But Johnson is definitely a class act.
Johnson getting his
self-described "fro" cut (Photo by TNL Communications
Corporation).
Roney Smith of TNL waving to the camera while not bumping
into Johnson's chair (Photo by TNL Communications Corporation).
As Johnson and his assistants
began to leave the barber shop, Johnson turned and thanked everyone
within the business for their help and mentioned to a barber that the
theatres would definitely be a place where families would be the
number one priority. By hearing his words, you can tell that he
definitely meant it and was perhaps not aware that the camera was
still filming.
Johnson thanking everyone
as he leaves the barber shop. Hear his words on being asked whether
alcohol would be served at Magic Theatres (Photo by TNL
Communications Corporation).
Outside the barber shop, Johnson
stopped to sign several autographs. Even as he had to stop signing
autographs to return to his business (which is not within the same building
as the Greenbriar Mall), Johnson made the classiest and most professional statement to discontinue the impromptu autograph signing session
that had developed. As a result, no one went away brokenhearted
nor with feelings of rejection by their favorite athlete. Many
celebrities and athletes should take a class from Earvin
"Magic" Johnson himself. Even though the field of
competition is a similar but different one from his days of
triple-double performances, Earvin Johnson still continuously
demonstrates what it means to be a world class champion and to
find yourself @Ease™.
Johnson flashes his world-renowned smile after responding
to our "Coke or Pepsi" question (Photo by TNL Communications Corporation).
Final words from Johnson as he
leaves the mall (Photo by TNL Communications Corporation).
Copyright ©1996. TNL Communications Corporation All rights reserved.