Santa Maria Town Center Movie Theatre to close Thursday

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Regal has announced its temporarily closing all of its movie theaters across the country and world including locations across the Central Coast.

Managers at the Regal Edwards Movie Theater say they are shutting the doors this Thursday.

Regal made the decision as blockbusters keep getting delayed to next year due to the pandemic.

"I hope that they'll reopen and we can all get back on the same track everybody likes going to the movies," said movie goer Twenty Vasquez.

Business owner Sheila Guge of Central City Candy and Gifts says since the COVID-19 pandemic she's already lost more than 50 percent in sales.

She says seeing the movie theater close its doors isn't going to help her.

"Obviously this year has been extremely difficult ... we don't really know what the future holds for any of us ... if there's not enough business to keep us going ... unfortunately the worst happens." said Gug.

Guge says while she hopes for the best, she is preparing her business for any possible outcome.

"My hope is that they reopen again very soon ... I realize that they may not have many movies to share but I think people would be willing to even go out and see a movie that they've already seen," said Guge.

While some movie goers are frustrated over the opening and closing of the movie theater, they also recognizing the challenges that come the pandemic.

"But I think they're doing the best they can and it's not really up to us it's probably just more of them trying to create movies," said Vasquez.

The movie theater as well as the Regal theater in Arroyo Grande will close on Thursday.

The other theater down the street in Santa Maria never reopened.