South Lake Tahoe’s Last Movie Theater Closes After 20 Years
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE,calif. – Heavenly Village Cinema, South Lake Tahoe’s only movie theater, permanently closed its doors last week, marking the end of a two-decade run. The closure joins a national trend of thousands of movie theaters shuttering amid shifting viewing habits adn the lingering effects of the pandemic.
Trans Sierra Investments and Shops at Heavenly Village President and CEO Gary Casteel cited competition from digital streaming platforms, changing consumer habits, and the pandemic’s impact as key factors in the decision. “We have reached a moment where the model for traditional cinemas has fundamentally shifted,” Casteel said in a statement posted at the theater.
The theater occupied a prominent location within Heavenly Village, overlooking a newly opened Target and a busy parking lot.Inside, popcorn machines were cleaned and empty, and boxes were stacked, though the Icee machine sign remained lit. Movie posters advertising recent releases like “Afterburn,” “him,” and “Freakier Friday” were displayed outside,but few passersby took notice.
dreu Murin, spokesperson for the Village, told South Tahoe Now that there is interest in taking over the 20% of the village footprint the cinema occupied. Murin did not respond to a request for comment from SFGATE.
Owners jerry and Jana harrah stated that operating the theater “has been one of the greatest joys of our lives.”
South Lake Tahoe moviegoers will now need to travel approximately 20 miles to Gardnerville, Nevada, or drive around Lake Tahoe to the Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema in Tahoe City or Incline Village Cinema in Incline village to see films on the big screen.
