Boulder, Colo.-based Natural Grocers has signed a lease to take over the 12,500-square-foot space, says Clay Evans of S.C. Companies, which manages the theater property. The Casa Linda Theater shut down in 1999, and for a time, dinner-and-a-movie companies were eying the space, but nothing ever materialized. We’ve periodically checked in on the space, and grew excited when we noticed construction last spring.
Nostalgic neighbors who watched their favorite flicks at Casa Linda Theater may be saddened by the news, as may those who were holding out hope for some sort of Alamo Drafthouse. Evans, who has been trying to find a tenant for more than three years, is excited to finally have one. “I think the neighborhood will really like it, too,” he says. Natural Grocers submitted applications for permits on Monday, Evans says, so he assumes the build-out will take 90-120 days or so. To get a preview, neighbors can visit the recently-opened store at Preston and Forest, or the store at Coit and Campbell.
In other Casa Linda Plaza news, the wet-dry election may have spurred more restaurant interest in the shopping center. Michael Hale of AmREIT, which owns all of Casa Linda Plaza besides the theater, tells us that “although we can report an increase in inquiries since the wet-dry election took place, we’re not quite ready to publicly announce any new tenants to the center that are directly attributable to the election.” Hopefully we’ll be able to tell you more in 2011.
