Topics in this update (scroll to bottom of this message)

• Actions We Can Take
• Our Planning Commission Appeal Was Denied
• Shopping Center Ownership to Change on Dec 31, 2024
• Angel Investors Needed
• Lease Possibility
• Citizens Committee Meeting (to be announced)

Dear Save Summerfield Cinemas Supporter:

Here is an update about our efforts to save the Summerfield Cinemas in Santa Rosa, CA. But first we would like to express our sincere thanks to all of you! To all the thousands of petition signers and supporters who have shared this petition, funders of the GoFundMe campaign to pay for the Appeal to the City Planning Commission, citizens and community members who attended City Council, Zoning Administrator and City Planning Commission meetings, those who attended our July rally in front of the theater, our core committee members who have met to discuss this effort, and all who continue to go to the theater to show support by purchasing tickets to support this wonderful local movie theater. Your efforts are being noticed and we have over 2,300 signers of this petition at this writing. Please keep sharing this petition to gather more signatures! Also-keep buying tickets and going to see movies at the Summerfield, this helps their bottom line and will create economic vitality for the theater! For tickets go to: https://santarosacinemas.com/ComingSoon or go to the theater box office.

THANK YOU ALL!!! 

-Actions to take now

• Your voice matters! Let's start a Write & Call-In Campaign! Planet Fitness is not wanted at 551 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95405. Write or call Planet Fitness franchisee/investor (Steven Titus) and Planet Fitness corporate executives (see link) to respectfully, please share your opposition to them taking over the Summerfield Cinemas site.

-Contact information below researched via public records.

• Steven Titus, stitus@keyauto.com. Physical address for U.S. mail address: Key Auto Group (his other business) 549 US Highway 1 Bypass Portsmouth, NH 03801 Phone: (603) 319-0405. Note: he also developed a property to become a Planet Fitness in Napa, CA under the business name, Napa Fitness, LLC.
• Corporate CEO is Colleen Keating, colleen.keating@pfhq.com - see bio here:  https://investor.planetfitness.com/investors/corporate-governance/management-team/default.aspx
• U.S. Mail address: Planet Fitness Corporate Headquarters: 4 Liberty Lane West, Hampton, NH 03842-1704. Phone: (603) 750-0001

-Update from the City Planning Commission meeting on October 10, 2024.

• Our appeal of the Minor Conditional Use Permit was denied by the City Planning Commission allowing for a health and fitness club (Planet Fitness) to take over the site of Summerfield Cinemas at 551 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95405
• See article here from the Press Democrat article published October 12, 2024. Also- watch the full recorded meeting here on the City of Santa Rosa YouTube channel (go to 1 minute, 28 seconds to watch the meeting from the beginning).

-Shopping Center Ownership

For a short period, we had heard that the sale of the shopping center was not going through, but recently we have verified that the sale of the Lakeside Shopping Center is still moving forward with the new buyer - Centers Dynamic Partners in San Mateo, CA. We understand that escrow is expected to close on December 31, 2024.

-Still looking for Angel Investors – Buying the building

The CEO of the Centers Dynamic Partners that will take ownership of the shopping center is still willing to consider selling the Summerfield building as a separate parcel, to be wholly owned apart from the rest of the center by a single investor or group.  A new owner of the building would have the ability to reinvent the theater as a place for the films we love at Summerfield in addition to a venue for myriad community, cultural and educational happenings - a place where creativity and imagination are part of the fabric of a sound financial business model. Older theaters are being "adopted" by Angel investors all over the country - this can be The Summerfield's fate. We want and need your input. Please write to Citizens Committee member Paul Seif at savesummerfield@gmail.com with your ideas and any contacts you can suggest who may be interested in investing in buying this property to save the cinema.

-Lease of the theater building

The current/lessee cinema operator team (Santa Rosa Cinemas) would like to stay on and run the theater with stronger programming to enhance ticket sales and community value. Or new lessee/operator of the theater (paying a rent acceptable to the new owner) is another option that can be explored. The new ownership of the shopping center is amenable to such an arrangement. 

-Citizens Committee Meeting

Coming soon at Trailhouse Cafe in Santa Rosa- date to be announced, most likely early December. We need your continued input and ideas to move forward.

We appreciate your continued support of this very worthy cause!

With Gratitude and Appreciation ~ Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Derek Stefan, Paul Seif, Trinity Winslow 

on behalf of the Citizens Committee to Save the Summerfield