Cinema Paradiso Bistro Scheduled to Open in Main Street Plaza May 18

If you‘ve lived in Carrollwood the past two decades, you may remember a movie theatre in the Main Street Plaza.

However, what’s about to greet you in six weeks might also make you quickly forget the staid theatre you attended when the new Cinema Paradiso Bistro opens on May 18 off North Dale Mabry Highway near Fletcher Avenue.

This is movie-going a whole new way; an evening out all in one spot. It’s movies and dining in six theatres, with 50-125 comfortable stadium-style seats in each.

The idea sprang to life when RMC Property Group of Carrollwood purchased the vacant 20,500 square foot space in Main Street Plaza six years ago. It sat vacant until late 2009 when Howard Edelman’s company, American Imperial Cinemas, began lease negotiations to build a cinebistro complex.    

Ground was broken in November. The show is about to begin, with the final cost to build the complex at more than $2 million.

“We’re trying to make it more of an evening out than just going to the movies,” said Edelman, who is also building a similar complex to open in Riverview next summer. “We were attracted by the demographics of the area. It’s a heavily traveled area, and there’s nothing like it north toward Lutz until you hit Wesley Chapel (where Cobb CineBistro at Grove 16 is located) about 45 minutes away.

The theater is not a CineBistro, though, which is a registered trade mark of Cobb Theatres. Paradisio is not affiliated with Cobb Theatres’ Cinebistro locations at Hyde Park and the Grove at Wesley Chapel.

Even so, Edelman acknowledged competition from movie theatres at Citrus Park Mall and the AMC Veterans 24. But he said the addition of a dinner theatre gives his complex an added perk.

“Those are traditional movie theatres that do a tremendous amount of business,” Edelman said. “But I think people today are looking for a little more than just going to the movies.”  

Edelman’s group purchased Channelside Cinema six years ago and saw business increase when he added a full bar and restaurant.

“Once we put a bar and restaurant in there, it turned the whole thing around,” said Edelman, whose movie theatre background includes working for Warner Brothers and Regal Cinemas. “These things are going up all around the country now.”

Editor's Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified the name of the theater.