Maya Cinemas Salinas, a beloved community entertainment hub since 2005, was eagerly anticipated to reopen on Friday, Oct. 9, following a temporary closure announced on Wednesday, Sept. 9. The theater, located at 153 Main St., known for its commitment to serving the Latino-dominant community, had left local moviegoers hoping for a swift return after their reopening announcement on Monday, Sept. 14.
However, in a recent announcement, Maya Cinemas revealed that the reopening date would be delayed due to unforeseen complexities.
“We are working to keep this valued entertainment option available to moviegoers,” Maya Cinemas shared in a statement. “While October 9 was an early target, Maya Cinemas is taking additional time to ensure the reopening is as smooth and successful as possible. We will share updates as they become available.”
Salinas resident Sandra Iveth Santos says she has mixed feelings on the matter.
“It’s not easy to try to keep a business afloat when it’s going through a rough patch,” says Santos, who is president of the Oaxacan cultural festival La Guelaguetza. “On the one hand it saddens me, but at the same time I think it’s part of the change that has been taking place over the decades.”
Since its founding in the early 2000s, Maya Cinemas has brought first-run Hollywood movies and unique Latino cultural programming through its Canal Maya initiative.