Residents concerned over cultural venues at rally to save San Jose cinema
SAN JOSE, California (KTVU) - Lights are out at celebrated movie theater in downtown San Jose and some residents are worried about losing more art and cultural venues. They held a rally Thursday night to save the Camera 12 Cinemas on Second Street.
An eclectic group rallied outside the Cinemas with a message to save the theater after the only mainstream theater in downtown abruptly closed its doors on September 8. It's been in business since 2004 after taking over the failed United Artists Cineplex. Owners blamed a decade of losses coupled with the staggering maintenance costs for its closure.
Nathan Louie has volunteered at the theater since it opened and held up a sign asking for Facebook Mark Zuckerberg's help. The closure is sinking in for long time patrons like Mary Ruth, who showed us ticket stubs of the countless movies she and her family have watched through the years.
"Oh my gosh it was just a major shock so I'm feeling in shock," said Mary Ruth of San Jose.
"There's good bones in this place yes it needs a lot of work but I think it's got a lot of potential," said Kymberli Brady, President of the Downtown Residents Association.
She fears the building will turn into another high right, high density, high rent housing development. She helped gather signatures for a petition to make into an art destination. She helped gather signatures for a petition to make it into an art destination.
"Maybe it couldn't make it as a movie theater but maybe if we get someone who comes in and turn it into a movie theater and more maybe into a restaurant so you can watch dinner and show maybe for a date night," said Brady.
"A downtown without a movie theater is so sad," said Patrick James Ciraulo of Bedlam Beauty & Barber.
Ciraulo owns the barber shop next door. He hopes a new entertainment tenant comes in and will provide space for the 10-day Cinequest film festival in March as he relies on the extra foot traffic.
"San Jose has a huge art community and i think that's impacting our community not having the film industry here," said Ciraulo.
A city memo about the closure states city officials are already working on finding a new tenant and given it's desirable location in the heart of downtown, the city has already received several inquires from movie theaters and real estate brokers.