Cedar Creek Lake's only movie theater closes; local officials hope to help it reopen




GUN BARREL CITY -- MovieStar Cinema has gone the way of Seven Points' Main Place Cinema, Blockbusters and grocery store movie kiosks on Cedar Creek Lake. For at least the time being, residents and vacationers in Cedar Creek Lake wanting to watch a movie will need to depend on Internet and cable providers. It is unclear whether the closing of the theater will be temporary or permanent, according to local observers. The theater's management posted a simple notice on the front door this week that said, "MovieStar Cinema is closed. Thank you Cedar Creek -- Mgt." The theater operated by Select Cinemas of Tulsa, OK, posted the notice Wednesday, July 31. Select Cinemas' website, which notes the corporation builds "quality, cost-efficient movie theaters in underserved markets" with populations of 20,000 to 200,000, no longer lists the Gun Barrel City theater as one of its locations. The corporation's theaters operate in concert with satellite businesses in shopping centers to attract mutual traffic, according to the website. MovieStar Cinema opened in 2009 in the Heritage Cove development, which apparently failed to live up to expectations. Only three businesses are operating in the development now: LaQuinta Inns & Suites, Extreme Barbecue and Aaron's rental company. However, the theater appeared to be a popular entertainment spot. Gun Barrel City Economic Development Corp. acting president Linda Rankin said the agency would like to see another company reopen the theater if the current owners cannot restructure their debt. The agency is willing to help financially with the cost of converting to digital projectors that are now required by movie distribution companies, she said. Expenses related to a lawsuit between the theater owners and the Heritage Cove developer reportedly helped lead to the demise of MovieStar Cinema, rather than slow ticket sales. In addition to the cost of upgrading the projectors, there are construction problems inside the building that will need to be repaired. A Houston bank that loaned money for its construction will be in charge of the theater's future. "Right now the owners and the bank are at odds with one another due to the high debt on the business," Rankin said. "That coupled with the building needing repairs and digitalization, both of which are very costly, the owners are not likely to invest any further revenue to keep the doors open. "We hope that the bank will work with us to either find a new owner, find a company to lease the theater and reopen it, or some other scenario that would open the doors. "This is extremely important to GBC because it is the greatest source of entertainment in the lake area and adds so much value to the quality of life that we need. I expect it will be 30-days before we can do anything except lay out some plans once we know who we will be working with." The Heritage Cove development also is threatened by erosion problems near a water channel adjacent to it, according to East Cedar Creek Fresh Water Supply District officials. Many Cedar Creek Lake businesses are struggling to keep their doors open because of the persistent drought that has caused the lake to drop far below full pool and decreased tourist traffic and weekenders visits. The lake is now more than five-foot below normal level. At the height of the drought in 2011 the lake dropped to more than eight-foot low, but unexpected winter rains in 2012 filled it back up for that year's high season. Local residents and business owners are hoping for another such pleasant surprise this year.




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Cedar Creek Lake Weather Forecast

Monday

Slight Chance Thunderstorms

Hi: 91

Monday Night

Mostly Clear

Lo: 75

Tuesday

Slight Chance Thunderstorms

Hi: 93

Tuesday Night

Partly Cloudy

Lo: 77

Wednesday

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Hi: 93

Wednesday Night

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Lo: 77

Thursday

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Hi: 95

Thursday Night

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Lo: 77


Cedar Creek Lake Water Level (last 30 days)


Water Level on 7/8: 321.77 (-0.23)



Cedar Creek Lake

Fishing Report from TPWD (Jul. 2)

GOOD. Water slightly stained; 87 degrees; 0.07 feet above pool. Big numbers of white bass and several trophy-class hybrid stripers have hit the deck. We are consistently finding the best action in 15–22 feet of water. Good go-to setups include a variety of slabs, sometimes paired with 2–3 jigs above, and the always-reliable yellow bladed jig using the proven saw tooth retrieve technique. Trolling spoons at 3 mph in 13–17 feet of water absolutely crushed the white bass. Water temperatures are currently holding around 83 degrees and will continue to rise as summer heats up over the next couple of weeks. Report by Brent Herbeck, Herbeck’s Lonestar Fishing Guide Service. Catfish are good anchoring on humps in 12-24 feet using small shad or cut shad on the bottom. Drifting larger cut bait like carp, drum or big gizzard shad on flats in 10-25 feet all around the lake. Report by Jason Barber, Kings Creek Adventures. Anticipate increased boater traffic this weekend as we celebrate our Nation’s Independence Day.

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