Cinema 6 movie complex closed for renovation, addition
It will be a long, dry spell before Morgan Hill residents can see big screen movies again without a driving a little. The Cinema Six theaters in Tennant Station have closed for expansion and updating. CineLux, the new owners, plan to reopen the bigger and better theaters in time for the Christmas holidays.
The Granada Theater downtown closed Aug. 31 and plans to reopen are still up in the air. The theater was operated on a month-to-month basis by Peachtree Cinemas, an arrangement that came to an end. Granda owners Irene and Ed Enderson, aged 70 and 80, respectively, are trying to work out the details.
“There’s hope that it will open again,” Ed Enderson said Thursday, “but there is no actual date.”
Enderson said he has someone who is interested in performing the renovation and upgrades necessary and also hopes for some help from the city’s façade improvement and other programs.
When Peachtree Cinema left and put up the highly visible closed sign, they left a bit of a mess.
“Peachtree left it just the way it was,” Enderson said. “It was never painted or cleaned up. They just pulled out.”
The Endersons own all the movie equipment. Enderson said he has heard from the city, downtown merchants and customers, all voicing dismay at the closing and hoping for a good outcome.
“Hopefully we will get it open again,” Enderson said. “I don’t want it to be closed.” He said he would take the “closed” sign down because it gives the wrong message.
The Endersons met at the theater in 1948 when he was the projectionist and she worked the concession stand. They’ve been married for 52 years. After their marriage the couple began leasing and managing the theater in 1961 and bought it outright 10 years later, intending to continue running it themselves.
“We didn’t intend to lease it but a gentleman came around in 1971 and wanted to lease it,” Enderson said.
Down at Tennant Station it is a different story.
“This theater is going to be like going to Hollywood,” said Howard Taormino, vice president of business development for CineLux Theaters. “People can expect to see lots of neon and grandeur. It will be like stepping back into the old days. It will be very art deco.”
CineLux plans to install stadium-style seating featuring rocker/love seats, digital surround-sound and a lobby cafe.
“This is our first phase,” Taormino said of the company’s plans to expand to eight screens and upgrade the facility. “Our second phase will expand to 11 screens within another year.”
Taormino said CineLux will offer current Hollywood films as well as art films.
He said the theater will offer many of the amenities movie buffs expect from large multiple-screen cinemas in San Jose and points further north, including moveable arm rests allowing love-seat style seating, pop-your-own popcorn concession bars and an expanded menu including pastries and coffee.
Lisa Pampuch contributed to this story
