It is often said that ‘curiosity killed the cat.’ However, such was not the case for all those who let curiosity get the best of them and decided to stroll on by the new Plaza 14 at North Fifth St in Oxnard that opened August 19.

There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that this is a project long awaiting Downtown Oxnard. Sheri Burns, 19 and an Oxnard native, used to have to travel all the way to the Edwards Cinemas in Camarillo. The city of Oxnard shares a sigh of relief, considering that each one of the movie theaters in the city, The Fox, Carriage Square, and the Marina Cinema, were all closed by the end of the 1990’s, including the SkyView drive-in.

With only three weeks in business, Plaza 14 still draws curious on-lookers investigating the new movie house in town. Jazmin Pilz, 19, a U.C. Santa Cruz student, came by just to take a look. “I am definitely coming back,” she said.

Who can blame anyone for wanting to come back? After all, the new plaza offers not only a fabulous theater with 14 screens and stadium seating, but also the warmth of a Starbucks, the comforting food of Capriccio’s Italian Restaurant, Casa Escobar, Thai Peruvian Restaurant and a Subway. And for all those who just can’t be satisfied with sandwiches and sushi rolls alone, there are always the delicious deserts of the nearby Cold Stone Creamery.

The presence of 24-security at the plaza brings an immediate feeling of safety. These officers are dedicated to creating a warm environment for all families that journey into the plaza territory, as well as easing the concerns of parents as they drop off their children.

For those who simply fall in love with the plaza, and wouldn’t mind spending time there for a paycheck, the theatre is still accepting applications. “Come share the revitalized downtown Oxnard Plaza,” said Plaza 14 Manager Marcos Jimenez.