After leaders announced the permanent closure of the theater last week, Maya Cinemas in downtown Salinas now plans to reopen its doors on Friday, Oct. 9 with the help from the City, the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce, Salinas City Center Improvement Association and One Main Street.
Salinas Mayor Dennis Donohue and Maya Cinemas CEO Francisco Schlotterbeck announced the partnership in a press conference outside the theater on Monday, Sept. 14.
"Maya Cinemas reopening is terrific news but seeing this partnership come together is a reminder of the power in partnerships," Donohue said. "This is going to be a continued effort working together to improve the movie experience at the Maya while supporting local businesses, families and the entire community."
Prior to the reopening, Maya Cinemas plans to make interior improvements.
"The Salinas theater has always been more than a building,” Schlotterbeck said. “Since opening its doors 23 years ago, it's been a place where this community comes together for a first date, a family outing or a movie that people talk about for weeks afterward."
“Bringing the lights back on Oct. 9 is about giving Salinas that gathering place again.”
The next steps are still to be determined, but all partners are optimistic that they can work together to develop a long-term plan for the theater that has been a part of the Salinas community for decades.