WESLEY CHAPEL — At a time when the movie theater industry’s future is in question, new owners of The Grove say they have the answer.
“It’s going to be the only one in the United States and that will look like that," said developer Mark Gold.
Gold has been working on developing this 250-acre complex in Wesley Chapel for more than a year.
The existing big box stores remain in place.
There’s also a village section and a container park.
Both for food and shopping options.
But they hope the revamped movie theater will be the center point.
“I think the coronavirus time is going to be finished soon. Six months, three months. It’s going to be finished one day. And everything coming back to normal," said Gold.
Management says everything is in place to make people feel safe here.
A scanner checks temperatures and makes sure you are wearing a mask as you come in.
Management says the air conditioning has UV lights and filters and there’s a fog machine to disinfect between showings.
“I feel like people have been staying home for a long time. They want to go out. They want to have fun. They want to enjoy themselves. But I know a lot of people are also scared to go out. So that’s why we are taking so many precautions. We are investing so much money into making sure this is a safe space," said Grove Theater vice president Matheus Gold.
This theater concept has more than movies.
There is a sushi bar and arcade.
And soon they’ll open a Side Splitters Comedy Club, cycle cinema, and an acting studio.
Outside there are plans for a mini-golf course and lazy river.
The movie theater is set to open Friday.
