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Will there be a sequel for these theaters?

Looking for a sequel: The fate of San Jose’s abandoned movie theaters
The Burbank Theater exterior,
Will this long abandoned theater have a second act? | Photo by Ian E. Abbott
Longtime San Joseans may remember the hay days of Burbank Theater, Cine Mexico, and Century Theater’s domes — but for years, these buildings have sat empty.

Let’s explore the past, present, and futures of these dilapidated movie theaters.

Burbank Theater

  • Closure date: 2000
  • Plans for redevelopment: No
Built in 1949, this theater was your go-to neighborhood cinema. The declining theater industry in the 1970s reduced the Burbank to a shadow of its former self. Before closing indefinitely, its only showings were adult films.

In spring 2023, San Jose City Council approved the annexation of the theater. The Preservation Action Council launched a petition to designate the theater as a city historical landmark, and sees its future as a creative community space.

Exterior of Mexico Theater.

This theater has sat empty for decades.

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Photo by SJtoday staff

Cine Mexico

  • Closure date: 2004
  • Plans for redevelopment: No
Opened as the Mayfair in 1949, then the Esquire in 1962, Mexico Theater officially adopted its name in 1980. Did you know that Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak owned it for a bit?

Details + updates regarding this theater are sparse. In 2014, members of the community launched a petition to redevelop the theater into a live music venue + community space. However, it seems that in 2015, plans were cut short after unnamed previous owners sold the property to another party. Since then, no updates have been announced.

The backside of the Century 21 Dome Theater on Winchester Blvd. in San Jose.

The Century 21 Dome played the original showings of Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and more.

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Photo via @laurence_jones_film

Century Theaters domes

  • Closure date: 2014
  • Plans for redevelopment: Yes
With Century 21 built in 1964, and Century 22 + 23 coming shortly thereafter, these theaters were the first of the Century Theater domes to be built in the western US. It is designated a historic city landmark.

In 2022, developers suggested a mixed-use development inside, with accommodations for a restaurant or performing arts center. In March 2023, the most recent plans proposed a 500-residence project. So far, no updates have been announced.
 
Events
Wednesday, Dec. 6
  • Succulent Wreath Class | Wednesday, Dec. 6 | 5:30 p.m. | Tessora’s Barra di Vino, 234 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell | $75 | Create your own Grapevine Wreath + embellish it with a variety of holiday decorations.
  • Holiday Comedy Bash Starring Kabir Singh from AGT | Wednesday, Dec. 6 | 8 p.m. | San Jose Improv, 62 S. Second St., San Jose | $20-$75 | See the comedian featured on “Family Guy,” Gabriel Iglesias’ “Stand Up Revolution,” and his own “Stay Single” special on YouTube.
Thursday, Dec. 7
  • Read, Write, Recite Open Mic | Thursday, Dec. 7 | 7-10 p.m. | Fox Tale Fermentation Project, 30 E. Santa Clara St., Ste. 120, San Jose | Free | Writer-focused performers are welcome to share their poetry, journal entries, book reviews, and more in this cozy community space.
  • Brujeria, Piñata Protest, NO/MAS | Thursday, Dec. 7 | 8 p.m. | The Ritz, 400 S. First St., San Jose | $27.50 | Disfruta de una noche de heavy metal cantado en Español.
Friday, Dec. 8
  • WoW! Holiday Night Market | Friday, Dec. 8 | 4-10 p.m. | Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose | Free | Held on Friday + Saturday nights through the holiday season, this market will offer live performances, unique gifts, and holiday-inspired treats.
  • Fiesta Navideña | Friday, Dec. 8 | 5:30-10 p.m. | Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose | Free | Hear music from Tres Souls, shop La Plaza’s Christmas-themed festival, and eat Mexican-inspired cuisine.
  • “The Office” Merry & Dwight Christmas Trivia Night | Friday, Dec. 8 | 7-9 p.m. | The Plex, 800 Embedded Way, San Jose | Free | Are you a Dunder Mifflin enthusiast? Grab a team + prove your knowledge on the Scranton gang.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Development
  • Developer Prologis has proposed a 312,500-sqft industrial complex in north San Jose — the same site that was once slated for an Amazon delivery center. The real estate giant has yet to announce plans for the site, but Amazon, Home Depot, FedEx, and UPS are among its largest customers. (The Mercury News)
Coming Soon
  • Fresh signs on the Downtown Food Hall building at 82 E. Santa Clara St. indicate that it may be ready soon. The food hall could accommodate 26 kitchens, and feature a dine-in restaurant + adjacent coffee bar in the historic Odd Fellows building. An official opening date has not been announced. (The Mercury News)
Regional
  • The Fattoria Public Market, a year-round indoor farmers market, is coming to Morgan Hill in 2026. As the first of its kind in Santa Clara County, the 40,000-sqft project will sit on 25 acres south of Morgan Hill off Highway 101. Construction is expected to begin late 2025. (East Bay Times)
Featured
  • Willow Street Pizza‘s Executive Chef Hisham Abdelfattah joined KRON 4’s “Live! In the Bay” host Olivia Horton to talk about the pizzeria. They even practiced a dough toss. Abdelfattah is also the owner of Mexican restaurant El Halal Amigos. (KRON 4)
Sports
  • Play ball... Oakland’s newest pro-sports team, the Oakland Ballers baseball team, has announced its schedule for the inaugural season. With 96 games, the Ballers will begin play on May 21, 2024, against the Glacier Range in Montana. The home opener will be on June 4, 2024. (KRON 4)
Plan Ahead
  • See ya later Thanksgiving, we’ve got another holiday meal to prep. South Winchester BBQ is accepting pre-orders for its $90 slow-smoked Holiday Ham to be picked up Sunday, Dec. 10-Sunday, Dec. 24. Simply in the mood for BBQ? Check out some of our favorites.
Shop
  • Health.com called this vibrator the “Rolls Royce Of Sex Toys” — and it’s also clinically proven to improve arousal and alleviate dryness. Get it for 30% off ahead of the holidays.*
Finance
  • There’s cash back, and then there’s unlimited 1.5% cash back. This card has that, plus a $200 bonus and 0% intro APR until 2025. (Oh, and did we mention the annual fee? No — because there isn’t one.) Learn more + apply.*
Asked

💌 From San Jose with love

What would you put in a San Jose care package?
An empty box with blue question marks coming out of it juxtaposed on a skyline image of San Jose.
What would you send to a friend to remind them of the great 408? | Photo by @bennys_journey, graphic by SJtoday staff
We’ve all had a family member, friend, or a co-worker who has moved out of town. But there are plenty of ways to remind them of San Jose.

A postcard, stickers, or even a book is nice — but have you ever sent them a care package?

City Editor Alyson here, if I were to pick some San Jose staples off the top of my head, it’d probably include:
  • A dozen burnt almond cupcakes (in insulated packaging, of course)
  • A bag of coffee beans from Nirvana Soul
  • Sharks game giveaway items (cup, calendar, bobblehead, etc.)
Dear reader, what items would you put in a San Jose care package? Let us know by taking our survey, and you may be featured in an upcoming newsletter.
Let us know
The Buy

The Buy 12.06.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Anything on sale for Six & Main’s Deal of the Day. Each day, unlock a new deal on a specialty, locally-made item. Today’s deal? Get 20% off our earring collection.
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The Wrap
 
Alyson Chuyang headshot

Today’s edition by:
Alyson
From the editor
Personally, I’d love to see some of these abandoned theaters turned into creative spaces and possibly a mixed-use development that shows off local businesses. What would you like to see done with these buildings? Let me know.
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