Century Berryessa 10 Theaters

Opened November 4th, 1988. Grand opening ad posted.

Sure is and the parking area is kinda falling apart, I was actually there a few days ago and there is some work going on inside, all the restroom fixtures (toilet paper dispensers, stall doors, etc..) are removed and laying in the theater lobby. Apparently the Syfuy family is wanting to replace it with a retail development (in the proposed plans, a supermarket is going to be built where the theater stands)

As for the Capitol Square Mall theater, I don’t recall that one (before my time) but I did learn of it having been there at one time, the space has been a Hometown Buffet for a while now.

The Great Mall location was built to shut down other competition in the area (AMC Milpitas). Century was willing to canibalize itself in order to 1) kill off competition and 2) make a great deal more money off a larger location with significantly more foot traffic.

Century could run Berryessa at a minimal profit, because they owned the land. Once the company was sold to Cinemark—with Century’s parent company Syufy Enterprises retaining ownership of the land—it was no longer in Cinemark’s best interest to keep the theatre running. I’m thinking they will probably turn it into a strip-mall, or keep it as is and take the loss off on their taxes.

It’s not alawys up to the theatre operator as to whether or not another theatre is built. I’m sure nobody wants to make one of their own theatres obsolete but when a retail developer announces they’re putting a theatre in, they’re going to do it with or without you. So even though opening a new 20-plex may have hurt Century’s own Berryessa, it was likely Century do it (and get the money) or let another chain come in and get the money. Either way you’re screwed as a theatre operator and in the process, yes… we waste a building.

We are so wastefull! First they tear down buildings. Next they spend 3 1/3 million $’s building theaters. Bout 10 years later, 3 miles away, Cinemark/Century builds Century 20 Great Mall. So much for long range planning.