Historic cinema shutters after a century: new manager aims to revitalize traditional venue
The former Sendlinger Tor Cinema in Munich, a landmark that has been a part of the city's cultural scene for over a century, has undergone a transformation. Instead of the flickering lights of the silver screen, the foyer now welcomes guests with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Café Plex, a new addition to Max Kamp's café chain, has opened its doors in this historic space.
People have been knocking on the cinema's door, inquiring about its reopening, but it's Max Kamp who now greets them. During the renovation for his café, Max became aware of the foyer's historic significance, and he's committed to preserving its charm while offering a modern café experience.
The original popcorn machine now sits alongside a new espresso machine, a testament to the café's dedication to blending the old and the new. The facade of the former cinema at Sendlinger Tor now shines mint green, adding a fresh touch to the historic building.
Café Plex offers fair-priced coffee, chai, and matcha, with additional flavours such as blueberry, vanilla, strawberry, and mango available for an extra euro or euro and a half. An espresso costs 1.50 euros, an Americano costs two euros, and a matcha latte costs four euros.
The café's guests have a small seating area and can also use tables from the neighboring Giesinger. Max Kamp, the managing director of the new café, is 25 years old and has already established four branches of his café in Munich.
The cinema's closure at the beginning of the year was a significant loss for Munich's cultural scene. Fritz Preßmar, the former cinema operator, considers the chapter to be closed and feels a little hurt that the historic place no longer exists. However, with Café Plex, a new temporary use of the space has emerged, offering a glimpse of hope for the future of this iconic building.
[1] Source: Munich's City Council Records
The café's new identity, Café Plex, extends beyond just coffee, including a lifestyle section showcasing fashion-and-beauty products.
Additionally, as home-and-garden items are made available, Café Plex strives to become a hub where patrons can rejuvenate their spirits, along with indulging in their favorite beverages.
