New Chipotle opens in former Long Beach Cinemas building

The building that once held Long Beach’s only movie theater has switched from slinging popcorn to serving up burrito bowls.

The fast-casual chain restaurant Chipotle opened Wednesday at 179 E. Park Ave., the former home of Long Beach Cinemas, which closed for good in 2023. It will join the roughly 38 other Chipotles spread across Long Island, including in Islandia, Farmingdale and Commack, according to the company’s website.

The roughly 2,400-square-foot store has around 45 employees, most of whom are full-time staffers, Natalia LoMacchio, the general manager said Thursday.

The Long Beach native said she’s worked at a handful of Chipotles in the area, but it’s been “really rewarding” to open the store in her community.

Chipotle takes over the space amid a trend in independent cinemas closing on Long Island, both due to the COVID-19 pandemic and consumers turning to streaming services. Local theaters, including Movieland Cinemas in Coram, Soundview Cinemas in Port Washington and Seaford Cinemas, have all closed in the past five years.

Long Beach Cinemas was shuttered twice in its history, first from 2012 to 2015 as the owners renovated the theater after it flooded during Superstorm Sandy, Newsday reported. It closed again for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic, reopened in 2022, and then closed permanently in 2023.

“Everyone shares the same sadness about the cinema closing, but I’m glad it’s not vacant anymore,” LoMacchio said. “We’re bringing business back into this location, and that’s a great feeling.”

Chipotle took over the space and notified the City of Long Beach in August that it planned to serve wine, cider and beer alongside its more traditional fast-casual fare, according to a letter it sent to the city. But state data shows the eatery has not yet received a license to serve alcohol.

Amanda Hall, a senior license clerk for the City of Long Beach, confirmed that the Chipotle had its initial 30-day license to open and will be inspected by the Nassau County Department of Health before it is awarded its full license for the year, as is required by the county.

The East Park Avenue building is roughly 11,000 square feet, and Jersey Mike's Subs has also leased space at the property, said Doug Weinstein, an executive vice president with the brokerage RIPCO Realty's Woodbury office.