Truckee Art Haus & Cinema: breaking ground in 2018

DOWNTOWN TRUCKEE IS THRIVING. This summer the Truckee Town Council approved the development agreement for the long-anticipated Truckee Railyard project, just east of downtown. Envisioned in the mid-’90s, it will double the size of the historic downtown.

The 75-acre redevelopment project will include artist lofts, a community space, live amphitheater, a three-screen movie theater and public art throughout the site. The movie theater meets a long unmet local demand.

This summer, Truckee Art Haus & Cinema said it will break ground in 2018, across from Moody’s Bistro & Beats. The owner-operators are locals Steven and Melissa Siig, and it is their second movie house in the area. The theater is expected to open in 2019.

The Siigs epitomize mountain-town entrepreneurs. They are an enterprising husband-and-wife team, like John and Nyna Weatherson of Truckee’s Restaurant Trokay. (You can read about Trokay at our companion website, SierraCulture.com).

Steve has been an independent cinematographer, and he had a longtime dream of owning a cinema. Melissa is an associate editor for Moonshine Ink newspaper in Truckee.

In 2014, the Siigs opened the Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema located in the former Cobblestone Cinema in Tahoe City. It is a completely remodeled theater and bar, and it has helped revitalize the town.

The Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema shows major motion pictures, independent films, action sports films, and environmental movies, and it also hosts filmmakers, speakers, dance performances, and live music.

Amenities include a state-of-the-art digital projector, leather “rocker” seats and couches, ADA seating, a dance floor and a remodeled lobby. The theater also offers a membership program that includes special screenings along with discounts on tickets, draft beer and popcorn.

Beer, Pizza & Star Wars

STARTING DECEMBER 15, movie fans can remain glued to their seats watching the premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi while munching on popcorn or pizza, or sipping craft beer or wine at theaters including Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema in Tahoe City and CineCafé at the Sierra Cinemas in Grass Valley.

Both family owned theaters have embraced the latest trend in movie-going: “Dine-in theaters,” with tasty food, beer and wine. Like beer and pizza, “hops and pops” (beer and popcorn) also pair well together.

Tahoe Art Haus has a “spice bar” where customers can flavor their popcorn, along with hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches. CineCafé’s menu includes oven-baked potato wedges, Neiman Ranch hot dogs, and organic soup and chili.

Besides first-run movies, Sierra Theaters’ historic Del Oro Theatre in downtown Grass Valley is showing The Met: Live in HD.

(Photo: Jason Abraham)