ABOUT US
In late November of 202, our town learned that the Hopkins Movie Theater-a popular destination for the locals, as well as the surrounding area- would close and not reopen after the pandemic. There was a collective sigh heard throughout the land.
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The building was sold to make way for a large apartment complex and despite the city's best efforts to negotiate a movie theater in the plan, it wasn't going to happen. Hopkins was losing one of its most valued entertainment assets.
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A huge loss for the community and beyond
Whether it was sending teenage children to a matinee, walking to Mainstreet for date night, or taking our kids to their first movie, the Hopkins Theater provided a small-town experience. but attendance also drew heavily from Minneapolis and the surrounding suburbs, bringing business and recognition to our burgh.
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Mobilizing to fill the void
With the desire to continue the town's movie-going tradition, a group of residents connected on the Nextdoor app and started thinking about how to do just that. What would it take to reestablish the movie-going experience and offer low-cost, quality movies in the community setting?
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Answering the question
Hopkins Community Cinema was formed as a means to offer movie events for residents to gather and continue to welcome people from neighboring communities to Mainstreet. Eventually, with some financial help from the development company and the generosity of the Hopkins Center for the Arts, the black box Jaycees Theater in the arts building became the place to show movies.
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Keep on Dreamin'
This citizen-led, volunteer-dependent group of movie lovers is growing the dream. From a few folks watching a film in someone's garage to a 50-person audience in the Jaycees Theater, HCC is keeping the dream alive. The group has partnered with the Senior Activity Center, the Hopkins Library, and the City of Hopkins to create year-round access to low-cost film entertainment that inspires, informs, entertains, and perhaps most importantly, brings a community together.
Our Mission
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Shared entertainment has long been a way to tie people together. As a local group of volunteers, we plan to continue that tradition of a local movie theater that brings the world of cinema to all Hopkins residents, from those who have lived here their whole lives to our new neighbors from near and far.
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To provide local, low-cost entertainment while fostering a strong and inclusive Hopkins community.