Regency Theatres Opening in Indio in Mid-2022

Regency Theatres newly remodeled theater is projected to open mid 2022

INDIO — The smell and taste of hot-buttered popcorn are palpable as this community prepares to once again be home to a newly remodeled and enhanced movie theater as part of a new ownership agreement with southern California based Regency Theatres.

The Riverside County Oversight Board on Thursday gave final approval of the purchase and sale agreement between the Successor Agency and Regency Theatres of the former Metro 8 Theater property.  Indio’s City Council unanimously agreed to the sale at its Oct. 6 regular council meeting.

The Metro 8 Theaters operated in the City of Indio from 1995 until the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020.

“We want the community of Indio to have a special place where they can experience and enjoy movies,” said Lyndon Golin, co-owner of Regency Theatres. “With new amenities and state-of-the-art presentation we look forward to delivering a product to the community that will make the theater a community destination.”

“This is very exciting,” Mayor Elaine Homes. said in a prepared statement. “For decades, Indio was the go-to location for a fun night at the movies.  We are thrilled to see Regency’s investment in bringing movies back in such a big way.”

The newly branded Regency Festival Cinemas will feature renovations of the entire facility, which will include new exterior finishes and architectural elements.  The interior will feature an updated lobby with a new game room and seating areas to relax before or after the movie. The new concession stand will feature all the movie staples, along with a café and bar section which will offer beer and wine along with prepared foods such as pizza, chicken strips & burritos.   The auditoriums will offer reserved seating with luxury electric recliners, wall to wall screens and state-of-the-art presentation.  The theater will also include a Premium Auditorium, which will feature Laser Projection & Dolby ATMOS sound, which brings movies to life with 128 channels and 64 speakers.

Golin said he hopes for the completion of the renovations by mid or late summer 2022.