For nearly three decades, the Quarry Cinema has been renowned in San Antonio for its unique design and “charming” aesthetic, which seamlessly blends historical architecture with modern industrial elements.<\/p>\n
But after a sweeping $2 million renovation project<\/a> was completed in 2025, the cinema space looks a little different nowadays \u2014 and people all over social media aren’t being shy about expressing their disdain for the “expensive downgrade,” as one TikTok commenter put it.\u00a0<\/p>\n In a video<\/a> posted to TikTok, user @classicrockdad roasted Regal for committing what she believed were redesign offenses egregious enough to spoil the cinema. She called out Regal out for replacing the original neon “Quarry Cinema” display “with this butt-ugly sign that just says ‘Regal’ at the top.”<\/p>\n In addition to that, she lamented the loss of the backlit movie title marquee, which has now been replaced with a non-lit “Luxury Recliners” sign. “Because if I’m going to a movie theater, I need to know that they have luxury recliners and not what movie or movies they’re showing,” she said, visibly rolling her eyes.<\/p>\n “Look how pretty this was. They had the movie titles that were showing … that was so cute. I already miss her so much. But thank you to this huge corporation who has ruined another thing that I loved so dearly. Womp womp,” she added. “Regal ruined the Quarry.”\u00a0<\/p>\n The historic Quarry Cinema opened in March 1998 on the former site of Alamo Cement Company<\/a>. After the cement factory and quarry closed in 1986, Dallas-based firm Hodges Architecture<\/a> converted the property into an open-air market anchored by the beloved movie theater.<\/p>\n The cinema changed hands several times before Regal took over. According to\u00a0Cinema Treasures<\/a>,\u00a0Santikos opened the theater with 2,642 seats. Act III Theatres took over soon afterward, and Regal acquired the cinema just two months after its opening.<\/p>\n A 2025 interior renovation to replace the theaters’ original seats reduced its capacity to 1,181. But hey, at least they’re luxury recliners.<\/p>\n “The market has preserved several iconic structures from this era, most notably the four towering smokestacks that dominate the skyline. These smokestacks serve as a landmark and a reminder of the location\u2019s industrial heritage,”\u00a0Hodges Architecture wrote<\/a>. “The preservation and repurposing of the historic structures are central to the market\u2019s charm, creating a visually striking contrast between the old and the new.”<\/p>\n Many TikTok users agreed with @classicrockdad’s assessment, with several lamenting the loss of the theater’s original aesthetic:\u00a0“Expensive downgrade \ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d,” @yungjosie_ wrote. “It was awesome having this classic vibe and now it\u2019s TRASH,” added @chancla_winters. “The quarry lost its classy historic charm \ud83e\udd7a,” wrote @glimmerbuny.<\/p>\n Still, not everyone was ready to declare the Quarry Cinema ruined:\u00a0“I do miss the marquee and the sign but the inside remodel is really well done,” @Ximena wrote. “That movie theater was due for an upgrade. They\u2019ve had red stadium seats for years. I\u2019m sorry I don\u2019t agree with you at all respectfully,” added @daveywavey156.\u00a0<\/p>\n