By Jackson Murphy

Staff Writer

Upstart movie theater chain Cosmic Cinemas is moving into the former Madison Theatre on Madison Avenue in Albany.

Madison Theatre owner Gunther Fishgold confirmed the sale exclusively to the Chronicle this morning. He says the deal will be finalized in a week or so, at which time an official announcement will be made. Fishgold says Cosmic’s goal is to have the new theatre open in June or July.

“It’s the absolute right thing. I’m very excited,” Fishgold said, “They came in November. Bow Tie Cinemas looked at it at the same time.”

The Cosmic deal came together in December. Fishgold has been sitting on the news for three months.

The Albany Cosmic Cinemas will feature first-run movies, a full bar and restaurant and has special restrictions: No infants, no children under 17 unless accompanied by a parent/guardian and no cellphones. Talking during movies is also prohibited. There will be at least three screens. The Madison had four when it closed on Jan. 1.

The man behind Cosmic Cinemas is Terrell Braly, former CEO of Alamo Drafthouse. He also created the Cinebarre Theatre chain under the unbrella of Regal Cinemas.

“Cosmic is disrupting the movie experience,” said Fishgold, who’s going to keep his Tierra Farm Cafe, which is located next door.

There will be no parking added, said Fishgold, but he doesn’t think it will be a problem.

“There’s a tremendous amount of walking traffic,” he said, “We’ve put 600 people in this theatre.”