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Tag: Studio Movie Grill

  • Plans for Citrus Heights Studio Movie Grill in limbo amid company bankruptcy

    Construction has halted on a new Studio Movie Grill in Citrus Heights. // Mike Hazlip

    Sentinel staff report–
    Construction activity has now been dormant for more than half a year at the site of a long-expected new Studio Movie Grill on Auburn Boulevard.

    A spokeswoman for the theater chain initially told The Sentinel in May that construction had halted “due to COVID-19 mitigation measures” and confirmed at the time that “we are still planning to open the Citrus Heights location.”

    However, in September, news surfaced that the project was facing more than $4 million in mechanics’ liens for the site at 8501 Auburn Blvd., which was previously home to Kmart. The Sacramento Business Journal reported on Sept. 21 that CM Corp. had filed a mechanics lien against Studio Movie Grill for $4.5 million in April of this year.

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    An attorney representing the contractor told The Journal: “They hadn’t paid us pre-Covid. Covid just made it worse.”

    Then on Oct. 23, the Texas-based theater company announced it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

    “Today’s actions will allow us the opportunity to position Studio Movie Grill (SMG) for long-term stability as we recover from the unparalleled impact of COVID-19 and will give SMG the opportunity to reemerge for all of
    our valued stakeholders,” said Brian Schultz, Founder/Chairman of Studio Movie Grill.

    Asked whether residents could still expect Studio Movie Grill to open in Citrus Heights, spokeswoman Lynne McQuaker said “at this time” she could only refer to the company’s Oct. 23 news release.

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    The announcement notes that “certain locations” will be closing, but does not specify what will happen to locations under construction. A list of theaters to be closed has not been released. The company said only that it “will be looking to work with landlords to restructure leases as it determines the portfolio of go-forward theaters.”

    Related: Development activity continues in Citrus Heights despite COVID-19 setbacks

    In an email to The Sentinel last week, city spokeswoman Nichole Baxter said staff “have not received notice from Studio Movie Grill that their project in Citrus Heights has been cancelled.” She said the city’s economic development team has reached out to the theater “to offer any assistance we can provide.”

    Baxter said the city remains focused on revitalizing the Auburn Boulevard business corridor and said “efforts to attract new businesses and improve aging infrastructure will continue full steam ahead.”

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  • Plans submitted for new Studio Movie Grill in Citrus Heights

    Studio Movie Grill, Citrus Heights, Rocklin
    Studio Movie Grill, file photo of Rocklin location. // CH Sentinel

    Sentinel staff report–
    Plans for the old Kmart lot in Citrus Heights now include a 50,000-square-foot Studio Movie Grill, along with Big Lots and several other small pads for lease.

    An application detailing the new plans was submitted last week to the city, proposing to “remodel and re-purpose an existing vacant building into a movie theatre,” according to the city’s planning division. The massive 90,000-square-feet former Kmart building at 8501 Auburn Blvd. has been vacant since closing last April and has generated significant interest in the community on what would replace the old store.

    Earlier plans included a large Rebounderz trampoline arena, but Senior Planner Casey Kempenaar said in an email on Wednesday that Rebounderz is no longer a part of the project. A phone message left with the company’s headquarters in Florida was not immediately returned.

    Studio Movie Grill is set to be the largest tenant at the site and currently has about 30 locations nationwide, with the closest location being in Rocklin. The company is known for its in-theatre dining concept, which features comfortable seating and individual tabletops for a unique movie-watching experience while dining. Call buttons are also placed at each seat, allowing for food and drink orders to be placed and delivered during the film showing.

    A spokesperson from the movie grill’s Texas-based headquarters was not able to be reached on Wednesday, but plans submitted to the city show the theatre will take up roughly half of the existing building on the left side and will also feature a small addition to the existing structure. The right-rear of the building is carved out for a 34,000-square-foot Big Lots store, and a 4,500-square-feet spot in front of the discount retailer is listed as another leasable space “not to exceed 4,500 square feet.” An additional 5,000-square-feet spot is also shown along the front of the building.

    Site plan: see the layout of what’s proposed at the old Kmart site

    Kempenaar said the smaller tenant spaces do not currently have known tenants. He said planning commission approval for the project is not required.

    Although Studio Movie Grill had been rumored as a future tenant, Auburn Boulevard Business Association President Richard Hale told The Sentinel Wednesday evening that he was pleased an application had been submitted to the city.

    “That will be a game-changer at that end of the boulevard,” said Hale. “I’m very happy with that.”

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    *An initial version of this story incorrectly stated the square footage of one of the additional leasable spots.