Construction continues at Santa Maria Mall
Construction on a massive movie theatre at the Santa Maria Mall is under way. This project has been in the works for several years and its just one of many projects that will be completed this year.
Slowly but surely the new 14-screen theatre at the Santa Maria Mall is taking shape. “It’s something our town has needed and to have something like this, I think it is going to change the dynamics of this whole side of town,” said Dan Pankratz, owner of One Way Boardshop.
The movie theatre is replacing what used to be Gottschalks. When the company went bankrupt in 2009, the building sat empty.
The owners of the mall gained a new partner late last year and the new mall started to take shape. New businesses have been moving in, including a gymnastic center, and even a skate park. “We’re trying to make it more family-oriented based. Coming up next month you’ll actually see On Deck, which is an indoor batting facility. Shortly after that you’ll see Kickers, which is an indoor training facility for soccer,” said Amber Lease, the mall’s assistant property manager.
The theatre is expected to open this fall. When it is done, the face of downtown will be changed forever.
