Big expansion plans for the Onyx Theatre in Nevada City are moving forward. The City Planning Commission has approved the architectural design plans and use permit. General Manager Celine Negrete says they’re taking over an adjacent vacant building and combining that space with the space of the current building on Argall Way. And that’ll allow the doubling of the number of screens from two to four, with the total number of seats climbing from 58 to 78. Those seats will also get a comfort upgrade. But Negrete says she’s probably most excited about adding an indoor and outdoor lounge area…

click to listen to Celine Negrete

Negrete says another major change is the addition of a kitchen that will allow the lifting of the age restriction. Since they also serve alcoholic beverages, the current ABC license requires that only people 21 and over can attend movies at the theatre…

click to listen to Celine Negrete

The lobby and concession space and offerings will also grow significantly. But Negrete says the project won’t likely be completed until late next year. It’ll also be done in phases, so the theatre doesn’t have to be completely shut down for any longer than about a month. The original remodelling of the Onyx from the former Magic Theatre, which was completed in 2018, closed the business for a year.