The transformed movie theater in the Pruneyard Shopping Center could reopen before the end of the year, and it’s designed to offer an experience beyond what’s on the screen.

The former Camera 7 Cinemas—renamed the Pruneyard Cinemas—will open some time between Dec 22 and 29, according to Jack Nyblom, a principal with Pruneyard Cinemas, LLC.

“We’re moving fast now,” Nyblom told this newspaper during a phone interview.

The theater closed in April to make way for an ambitious renovation that includes expanding into the former Bowsell’s to accommodate a new bar and a 60-seat restaurant and entertainment area called the Cedar Room. The venue will feature occasional live entertainment by local musicians, as well as karaoke opportunities, according to Nyblom.

“The idea is to make it a full destination,” Nyblom said of the theater.

During an interview earlier this year, Nyblom and his business partner Ed Rathmann said they were looking to make attending a movie a livelier, one-stop experience. They added that theaters also now have to compete with online video streaming and an improved home theater experience.

Classic movie concessions like popcorn and candy will still be sold, but the Cedar Room will feature a entrees like an antipasto plate, or sweets like gelato and tiramisu. Food can also be delivered directly to movie veiwers.

Nyblom added that food will not be frozen and reheated fare.

“This is a chef-driven menu,” he said.

The lobby and concessions have been expanded, and there will be patio seating. New offices, a storage room and an employee room have been added.

As for the movie-viewing experience, there will still be seven screens but fewer seats. When patrons do sit down to watch their flick, they’ll be in one of 500 new reclining seats.

“We lost about 60 percent of seats,” Nyblom said, adding that the largest auditorium will seat approximately 130 people, and 32 in the smallest.

The theater will screen big studio productions as well as independent films.

Back in March, Nyblom and Rathmann initially estimated a September opening. They’ve encountered a few surprises during construction.

“We were learning as we went along,” Nyblom said, adding that a safe was found buried in the floor and wood from what appeared to be railroad ties was unearthed. Nyblom said the safe was cracked open, but nothing was inside.

Nyblom said the theater itself will open first, but the restaurant and bar may have to wait.

“The theater may open a week or two before the bar and restaurant are fully operational,” he said.

The theater renovation is one of many coming to the shopping center. Property owner Ellis Partners received approval from the city last year for a four-phase project that involves five new retail buildings, 100,000 square feet of office space and 680 new parking spaces.

Renovations to existing commercial buildings are in the works. New landscaping has been added as part of the first phase that was kicked off in January, which includes reconfigured paths and addition of public gathering areas.

Camera 7 Cinemas originally opened in July 2002. It is located at 1875 S. Bascom Ave.