The long awaited, 12-screen downtown Plaza Cinema Cafe opens on Orange Avenue today, Friday.
The first showings were scheduled for 11:30 am. The movies playing include a mix of first-run films, such as Star Trek and Angels & Demons, along with some older titles.
The cinema, which features two 21 years-and-older-only theaters fronting Orange Avenue with attached wine bars, held a VIP reception May 28, and will hold a special event benefiting the Downtown Arts District June 1-3.
The Plaza Cinema Café began work on its $8 million buildout earlier this year. The project was on-again-off-again for two years until landlord RP Realty Partners LLC in late 2008 signed theater operator Orlando Movie Co. Inc., whose parent company is Atlanta-based American Theater Corp.
The city of Orlando last December approved the provision of $6 million towards the completion of the project.
It is anticipated that this new cinema will become a venue for the Orlando Film Festival.
Parramore Kidz Zone will receive 1,500 movie tickets from the owners, annually, for at least 10 years.
