Stargazer 5

Manta says that Sapphire Cineplex was established in 2007, but that is probably the year the business was incorporated, and the theater might or might not have been opened that year. The December 16, 2016 issue of Eastern Arizona Courier says that Robert E. Hollis had bought the Sapphire Cineplex from John and Marty Gray on December 4. Hollis’s sale of the Sapphire to Allen Theatres on December 1, 2017, is noted on the web site Gila Valley Central, so Hollis Cinemas only operated the house for a little over a year.

This Sapphire Cineplex was opened in the mid 1990s to replace Cinema 1, the former Jerry Lewis Cinema. The theatre was opened by John & Marty Grey who operated Fountain Cinemas based in Phoenix. After they closed Reel West 1&2 in Silver City, New Mexico Marty retired. After Marty retired soon shared plans to do the same. The Morenci Theatre and Sapphire Cineplex were going to close as John was also retiring. However Fountain Cinemas and Hollis Cinema in Globe, AZ had the same film booking service. Hollis agreed to take over the two movie theatres to avoid having them close as Sapphire landlord wanted the theatre to remain operating. only The deal was made on December 1, 2015 and finalized on December 16, 2015. Hollis soon found it too difficult managing the two theatres and began looking for a buyer in August 2016. Hollis however was committed to a lease and remained reluctant operators for the next year. Finally in September 2017 negotiations began between Hollis and Allen Theatres. Allen took over Watford and Morenci theatres on December 1,2017.