Beacon Theaters, Old Cuevas Bistro open in Hancock County

The good old days are back with the reopening of the old Choctaw Cinema in Waveland as the new Beacon Theaters, and the return of Old Cuevas Bistro, now open in Old Town Bay St. Louis.

Beacon Theaters on Friday opened the renovated space at 310 U.S. 90. Two of the theaters are now showing movies, with tickets priced at $7 for adults and $5 for kids under 12, seniors at least 65 and military, firefighters and police, according to the website.

Owner Charles Watzke was granted a license by the state Health Department to serve popcorn, pizza and nachos for those who like to snack during the movie.

In Bay St. Louis, Coast residents who've been peering in the window of the Old Cuevas Bistro at 111 Main St. to see the progress now are being welcomed inside.

Owner Cassandra Timmons said the restaurant hosted its first Christmas party Tuesday. After the new year, she and Toni Strickland plan to have the gourmet shop open -- along with a deli featuring Boar's Head meats and cheeses.

They lost their Menge Avenue restaurant to fire -- after they'd restored the building that took on 15 feet of water during Hurricane Katrina.

"We moved into this historic old building," said Timmons of the new space a block in from Beach Boulevard, and brought some of the former restaurant with them.

"This is the heart pine from the old building," she said, admiring the wraparound bar that will provide seating. Shutters on the exposed brick walls were made from the former restaurant's flooring.

The menu features oysters Achee, eggplant bruschetta, crab cakes, duck quesadillas, steaks, soups, salads, sandwiches and the full deli.

This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 6:41 PM with the headline "Beacon Theaters, Old Cuevas Bistro open in Hancock County ."