The movie theater at 340 N. Eureka St. in Redlands is slated to become the first LOOK Dine-In Cinemas location in California when it opens its doors on July 1.
Brian Schultz, founder of the chain, said in an email that other former Studio Movie Grill locations will reopen as LOOK Dine-In Cinemas later this summer with Monrovia in July, and Downey and Glendale in August.
SMG emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April with a third less theaters than it had in 2017.
Schultz founded SMG as well, and was with that company from 1993 until 2021.
“The Redlands theater was abandoned by our lender,” he wrote Tuesday, June 22, “and I firmly believe the team, vendors and community deserved a great cinema experience.”
A news release says Schultz is a champion for “conscious capitalism” and is “credited as the innovator of in-theater dining.”
“I love Redlands and the importance of the community movie theater,” he wrote Tuesday. “You will find amazing food and cocktails with a diverse curation of content.”
Mixed drinks on the chain’s website have names like “Star Wipe” and “Ranch Water” and have ingredients such as orange blossom and candied ginger. Food offerings run from PB&J sliders with apricot jelly and applewood bacon; to sushi veggie rolls, and, yes, traditional popcorn.
Special opening promotions at the 14-screen Redlands location include $5 tickets through July 7. Moviegoers can get 25% off food and nonalcoholic drinks through July 29, and for a limited time, though the release didn’t specify how long it would last, auditoriums can be rented for up to 50 guests for $99. Renters can screen the content of their choice including E-sports and concerts.
In addition to California locations, and one already operating in Texas, the theater chain plans to roll out additional locations in Florida, New York and Texas in 2021.
The news release says LOOK offers “a technology-first luxury cinema experience.”
“I am honored to have the opportunity to create jobs for the citizens of Redlands that pay fair wages, and to provide a shared space for the community to come together after an unprecedented period of social isolation,” Schultz said in the news release.
Opening week movies include “Boss Baby 2,” “Forever Purgel,” “Summer of Soul,” “Zola,” “F9,” and “Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard.”
Information: lookcinemas.com.
