Audio story by Gabby Gerster.
The Movie Experience SLO announced they will be temporarily closed until further notice due to its snack bar renovations, according to their Instagram.
The theater will reopen in time for the holiday season, according to their Instagram. The only showtimes available on the theater’s website are Oct. 3 for a showing of “The Metropolitan Opera 2026/27: Cosi Fan Tutte,” followed by “Dune: Part Three” on Dec. 15 and “Avengers: Doomsday” on Dec. 17.
During the closure, the theater’s sister business, the Colony Cinemas in Atascadero, is offering a discount for college students with a valid ID. Students can see movies for $5 with cash or $7 with card from Sunday evenings to Friday evenings for $5, according to their Instagram.
Wine and viticulture freshman Joshua Nelson believed the renovations came at a good time but felt disappointed as well.
“For a first year, it’s tough because you don’t have a car to get there, so downtown would be a lot more accessible,” Nelson said. “But at least there’s an option where you can have a discount if you’re ever in the area.”
Biochemistry junior Ankita Kumar liked the idea of still having the opportunity to catch a movie in the area.
“I think it’s like a smart idea [that] they have some place for their customers to go that do like to watch cinema,” Kumar said. “I do think it’s a little bit inconvenient that it is further, but it’s not just kids living here, so for the older people it’s good.”