Angelo Guzzo opened his first cinema after arriving from Italy. It marked the beginning of a homegrown empire in Quebec’s movie business.

By the 2010s, Guzzo Cinemas boasted over 150 screens and several IMAX theatres. Vincenzo Guzzo, Angelo’s son, expressed ambitions to expand beyond Quebec.

COVID-19 hit hard, coupled with the rising trend of moviegoers turning to streaming services.

The banks take action to get paid, with a court appointed receiver taking control of the assets. Marché Central shut in January. Seven more theatres were temporarily closed in February and assets were listed for sale.

In June 2025, the court approved the first real estate sale — a Laval property sold to a buyer linked to the Wilnor Group. Two more properties are to be sold, according to the receiver.

Amid the asset sale, Vincenzo reopens a theatre in Terrebonne and tells media he wants to revive more theatres.