Big Screen Cinemas Caloundra has confirmed that a temporary closure announced in July will now be permanent.
This means no more affordable film fun in the town as the major tenant exits The Strand building on the corner of Bulcock Street and Knox Avenue.
Fans have expressed their sadness at the end of an era for Caloundra, which has had a cinema since the 1930s. Movies have been shown in The Strand since its opening in 1980 and under the current ownership since 1996.
The cinema’s Facebook page notified patrons of its demise Thursday, but did not give a reason.
“Dear customers, we have been closed for sometime now and, as some of you may have guessed, we unfortunately will not be reopening our doors,” it said.
“We would like to take a moment to thank all of our customers for supporting our small family business over the last 25 years.
“It has been an absolute joy to be part of your lives. Until next time, that’s a wrap!”
“Oh that is so sad,” said Kristen Coggan. “Our annual holidays in Caloundra always included movies there. We have some wonderful memories. Best of luck with your future.”
Deb Purkiss said: “my grandkids will be so upset. It was an affordable place to take them Thank you for serving the community for all these years. Wishing you all the best.”
Jessica Mitchell also lamented the closure.
“I have so many wonderful memories of this place, at every stage of my life. My Dad and I saw dozens of movies here when we lived just around the corner, he sadly passed last year, but I know he’d have said the same. Thanks for the memories.”
The cinema had been closed from July 22 due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
The last screenings of Black Widow, Cruella, Space Jam: A New Legacy, Cranston Academy Monster Zone, Dream Horse, Fast & Furious 9, The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard and Spirit were held on July 21.
The cinemas’ website says the history dates back to a contractor named H.M. Dean who built the Amusu Theatre (pronounced as “amuse you”) for the Page family – known for its Page Furnishing business in Pomona.
Historical records show the movie house name was changed to The Strand in 1937.
“Even then, The Strand was a prominent structure in Bulcock Street and is reputed to have provided only the best movie entertainment in the frontier,” the website says.
“The Strand theatre was demolished in February 1979 to be replaced by a new shopping complex constructed on the same site. The new Strand, with a single screen cinema as its focal point was opened in 1980.
“Big Screen Cinemas was born in the mid-1990s with a major redevelopment of the building creating a modern multiplex theatre.”
