Grossmont Center’s ten-screen Reading Cinemas abruptly shut down last week on June 1.
One week later, AMC has announced that it acquired the theater through a deal with Grossmont Center owners Federal Realty and would be fully renovating it.
The movie theater will remain closed until sometime in early 2027, the company said.
“The theater has long been part of the Grossmont Center experience, and we know how important it is to the La Mesa community,” said Jon Stoeckly, vice president of regional development at Federal Realty, in a statement.
“As we continue modernizing the property, bringing AMC to Grossmont represents an exciting milestone that honors the center’s legacy while creating new opportunities for people to connect, gather and enjoy time together.”
One of the incoming changes will be replacing the normal movie seats with AMC’s signature recliners.
While renovations are occurring inside the theater, similar changes are ongoing throughout the mall, including adding elevated turf, a performance space and living room-style seating into the central plaza.
In January, construction began on the north side of the mall between Target and Walmart. The first phase will elevate its aesthetics with new walkways, lighting, entrances, facades and security features. The $10 million facelift is expected to be completed in October.
Bringing in a new theater operator and renovating the movie complex makes up a second phase of the revitalization plan, according to previous reporting from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
The third phase will include similar efforts, but on the south side of the plaza — with one addition: the replacement of Macy’s. Most of the tenants had their leases up for renewal in 2025. Other anchor tenants like Barnes & Noble and Walmart received extensions, but Reading Cinemas and Macy’s did not.
Mall owner Federal Realty has not yet announced their plans for the empty Macy’s. The company bought a majority stake in Grossmont Center in 2021 from the Cushman family.
Grossmont Center has been a cornerstone of La Mesa since opening in 1961, but has a bland and aging appearance. Successful renovations at Fashion Valley and UTC shopping malls have reinvigorated interest in these brick-and-mortar facilities.
Compared to many other mall renovations in the region, which promise housing units, the Grossmont Center revitalization plans are more conservative, focusing instead on the appearance and day-to-day experience of the mall, rather than diversifying with mixed-use space.
The new theater operator could signal the future direction of the mall. Reading Cinemas had some of the cheapest tickets in the region with great matinee deals. AMC theaters, on the other hand, is the largest theater operator in the world, with modern amenities reflected in ticket prices.
Hence then, the article about amc to replace reading cinemas at grossmont center was published today ( ) and is available on Times of San Diego ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( AMC to replace Reading Cinemas at Grossmont Center )
Also on site :