This week, Ballard's Majestic Bay Theatres is celebrating 10 years and more than 1.8 million customers.

"It's been very exciting and exhilarating to watch our business and community change in the last 10 years," said Aaron Alhadeff, president of Elttaes Theatres, whose father built and opened the Majestic Bay.

Ken Alhadeff bought the old Bay Theatre property in 1998 with the idea of a simple renovation. He ended up starting from scratch and creating a business that has been a source of a lot of pride for his entire family, Aaron Alhadeff said.

Alhadeff said the Majestic Bay has brought the community together as a source of great escape and entertainment, which was especially needed during a decade when there were a lot of "not-so-great" headlines.

The Majestic Bay has a true community feel to it, evident through the Ballard High School students it employees or the little league team it sponsors or by watching employees greet family and friends when they come to see a film, Alhadeff said.

"There is a genuine community," he said. "We have regulars. We have people who met in our theater on a first date then got married in our auditorium. I don't think that's typical."

After a decade as Ballard's only movie theater, the Majestic Bay is still in great shape physically, Alhadeff said. He said that is a testament to management, but even more it is a testament to the respect Ballardites have for the theater.

"They feel like it's their theater," he said. "Which was the vision when my dad built it."

Apart from keeping an eye on changing technology, such as 3D, and increasing the use of social media and the Internet, Alhadeff said he'd like to see more of the same for the Majestic Bay Theatres – another 10 years and another 1.8 million satisfied customers.