Complete Guide to the Abandoned Joja Mart in Stardew Valley
The Abandoned Joja Mart is what remains of the Joja Corporation’s presence in Pelican Town after you choose the Community Center path. This guide covers the transformation of Joja Mart, the Movie Theater that replaces it, and everything related to Morris and the Joja storyline.
The Joja Mart Storyline
Joja Mart vs. Community Center
At the beginning of Stardew Valley, you are presented with a fundamental choice: restore the Community Center through Junimo bundles, or purchase a Joja Membership and let the Joja Corporation “develop” the community. This choice has lasting consequences for Pelican Town.
Choosing the Community Center Path
If you choose to complete the Community Center bundles instead of buying a Joja Membership:
- Joja Mart Closes: After completing all bundles in the Community Center, a cutscene plays showing the Joja Mart closing down.
- Morris Leaves: Morris Tod, the Joja Mart manager, leaves Pelican Town in defeat.
- The Building Becomes Abandoned: The Joja Mart building becomes the Abandoned Joja Mart, an empty, run-down building in the center of town.
Choosing the Joja Membership Path
If you purchase a Joja Membership for 5,000g:
- Community Center Becomes a Warehouse: The Junimos leave, and the Community Center is converted into a storage warehouse.
- Joja Mart Stays Open: Joja Mart remains operational, and Morris continues to manage it.
- No Abandoned Joja Mart: The building does not become abandoned in this scenario.
- No Movie Theater: You cannot build the Movie Theater if you choose the Joja path.
The Abandoned Joja Mart
Exterior Appearance
After Joja Mart closes, the building undergoes a visual transformation:
- Sign Removed: The Joja Mart sign is taken down, leaving a blank facade.
- Windows Boarded: The windows are boarded up, giving the building an abandoned look.
- Overgrown: Weeds and debris accumulate around the entrance.
- Dim Lighting: The area around the building becomes darker and less inviting.
Can You Enter the Abandoned Joja Mart?
- Before the Movie Theater: You cannot enter the Abandoned Joja Mart. The doors are locked and there is no way to interact with the building.
- After the Movie Theater: Once the Movie Theater is built, the building is completely transformed and the abandoned state is no longer visible.
The Movie Theater
How to Unlock the Movie Theater
The Movie Theater is the ultimate reward for choosing the Community Center path. Here is how to unlock it:
- Complete the Community Center: Finish all bundles in the Community Center. This triggers the Joja Mart closure.
- Wait for the Letter: After the Community Center is complete, you will receive a letter in the mail from Morris.
- Visit the Abandoned Joja Mart: Go to the Abandoned Joja Mart and interact with the door. A cutscene will play.
- The Movie Theater Project: Morris offers to convert the building into a Movie Theater. You need to contribute resources to complete the project.
Movie Theater Construction Costs
The Movie Theater requires a significant resource investment:
| Resource | Amount Needed |
|---|---|
| Gold | 500,000g |
| Hardwood | 500 |
| Cloth | 50 |
Movie Theater Features
Once built, the Movie Theater offers several features:
Movie Screenings
- Schedule: Movies change every Wednesday. The current movie is posted on a billboard outside the theater.
- Tickets: Each movie viewing costs 500g per person (you can bring one NPC as a companion).
- Movie Types: There are multiple movies in the game, each with different themes and effects.
- Companion Benefits: Bringing an NPC to a movie increases their friendship. Some NPCs have special reactions to specific movies.
Available Movies
| Movie | Theme | Best Companion |
|---|---|---|
| It Howls in the Rain | Horror | Sebastian, Abigail |
| Mysterious Qi | Mystery | Mr. Qi (if unlocked) |
| Wumbus! | Comedy | Most NPCs enjoy it |
| The Brave Little Sapling | Animated | Abigail, Vincent, Jas |
| Natural Wonders: Exploring Our Vibrant World | Documentary | Elliott, Leah |
| Miracle at Coldstar Ranch | Drama | Emily, Penny |
| Prairie King: The Motion Picture | Action | Sam, Alex |
| Zuzu City Express | Romance | Haley, Elliott |
Concession Stand
The Movie Theater has a concession stand that sells unique food items:
| Item | Price | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Popcorn | 300g | Restores 45 energy |
| Large Soda | 400g | Restores 60 energy |
| Star Drops | 500g | Restores 80 energy |
| Joja Cola | 150g | Restores 25 energy |
| Candy Apple | 200g | Restores 35 energy |
| Nachos | 250g | Restores 40 energy |
| Joja Corn Dog | 350g | Restores 50 energy |
Movie Theater Benefits
- Friendship Boost: Bringing an NPC to the movies gives a significant friendship boost (equivalent to giving them a loved gift).
- Weekly Activity: The Movie Theater provides a structured social activity each week.
- Unique Items: Concession stand items are exclusive to the theater.
- Atmosphere: The Movie Theater adds a community feel to Pelican Town.
Morris’s Fate
What Happens to Morris
After Joja Mart closes, Morris Tod’s fate depends on your choices:
Community Center Path
- Morris Leaves Town: After the Community Center completion cutscene, Morris packs up and leaves Pelican Town.
- Letter from Morris: Sometime after the closure, you receive a letter from Morris saying he has moved on to work at another Joja Mart location.
- No Further Appearances: Morris does not return to Pelican Town in the Community Center path.
Joja Membership Path
- Morris Stays: If you purchased a Joja Membership, Morris continues to manage Joja Mart.
- Joja Mart Remains Open: The store stays operational with its regular inventory and prices.
- No Movie Theater: Morris does not offer to build the Movie Theater in this path.
Morris’s Character
Morris Tod is the manager of Joja Mart and represents the corporate, profit-driven mindset that contrasts with the community spirit of Pelican Town:
- Personality: Morris is enthusiastic about Joja’s products and services but comes across as insincere and corporate.
- Relationship with Townspeople: Most townspeople dislike Morris and Joja Mart, preferring Pierre’s General Store.
- Daily Schedule: Before the closure, Morris can be found inside Joja Mart during business hours.
Joja Mart vs. Pierre’s General Store
Price Comparison
One of the main reasons players choose the Community Center path is to close Joja Mart, which competes unfairly with Pierre’s store:
| Item | Pierre’s Price | Joja Mart Price |
|---|---|---|
| Parsnip Seeds | 20g | 20g |
| Potato Seeds | 50g | 50g |
| Cauliflower Seeds | 80g | 80g |
| Coffee Bean | 15g | 15g |
| Fertilizer | 100g | 100g |
While base prices are similar, Joja Mart’s presence causes Pierre to have reduced hours and lower morale, affecting the overall community feel of the game.
Tips and Considerations
Why Choose the Community Center Path
- Movie Theater Access: The Movie Theater is exclusive to the Community Center path.
- Junimo Rewards: Completing bundles gives you immediate rewards like seeds, tools, and access to new areas.
- Community Feel: Restoring the Community Center feels more rewarding and fits the game’s themes.
- Pierre’s Prosperity: Closing Joja Mart allows Pierre’s store to thrive.
Why Choose the Joja Membership Path
- Convenience: Paying gold to complete projects is faster than collecting bundle items.
- No Bundle Hunting: You do not need to find specific seasonal items for bundles.
- Storage Access: The Community Center warehouse provides additional storage.
- Joja Mart Access: Joja Mart remains open for shopping.
Can You Switch Paths?
No, once you choose between the Community Center and the Joja Membership, you cannot switch. The choice is permanent for that save file. This is why most experienced players recommend the Community Center path for the Movie Theater and overall better rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Movie Theater Deep Dive
Movie Effects on NPCs
When you bring an NPC to the movies, their friendship increases significantly. Here is the complete breakdown:
| NPC | Best Movie to Watch Together | Friendship Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Abigail | The Brave Little Sapling | +120 friendship |
| Alex | Prairie King: The Motion Picture | +120 friendship |
| Elliott | Natural Wonders | +120 friendship |
| Emily | Wumbus! | +120 friendship |
| Haley | Miracle at Coldstar Ranch | +120 friendship |
| Harvey | Natural Wonders | +120 friendship |
| Leah | Natural Wonders | +120 friendship |
| Maru | Mysterious Qi | +120 friendship |
| Penny | The Brave Little Sapling | +120 friendship |
| Sam | Prairie King: The Motion Picture | +120 friendship |
| Sebastian | It Howls in the Rain | +120 friendship |
| Shane | Zuzu City Express | +120 friendship |
Movie Schedule
Movies change every Wednesday. Here is the complete rotation:
| Week | Movie | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Wumbus! | Comedy |
| Week 2 | It Howls in the Rain | Horror |
| Week 3 | The Brave Little Sapling | Animated |
| Week 4 | Mysterious Qi | Mystery |
| Week 5 | Natural Wonders | Documentary |
| Week 6 | Miracle at Coldstar Ranch | Drama |
| Week 7 | Prairie King: The Motion Picture | Action |
| Week 8 | Zuzu City Express | Romance |
Concession Stand Strategy
The concession stand offers exclusive food items. Here are the best values:
| Item | Price | Energy/Gold Ratio | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joja Cola | 150g | 0.17 | Low value |
| Candy Apple | 200g | 0.18 | Low value |
| Nachos | 250g | 0.16 | Low value |
| Popcorn | 300g | 0.15 | Low value |
| Large Soda | 400g | 0.15 | Low value |
| Joja Corn Dog | 350g | 0.14 | Low value |
| Star Drops | 500g | 0.16 | Low value |
The concession stand items are primarily for novelty rather than practical value. Most provide less energy per gold than food you can cook yourself.
The Joja Mart Experience
Inside Joja Mart
Before it closes, Joja Mart is a fully functional store with a distinct corporate atmosphere:
- Lighting: Bright, fluorescent lighting that contrasts with Pierre’s warm, rustic store.
- Music: Upbeat corporate background music.
- Layout: Clean, organized aisles with clearly marked sections.
- Atmosphere: Sterile and commercial, intentionally contrasting with Pelican Town’s charm.
Joja Mart Inventory
Joja Mart sells a variety of items at competitive prices:
| Category | Items | Price Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Seeds | All seasonal crop seeds | Same as Pierre’s |
| Fertilizer | Basic and Quality Fertilizer | Same as Pierre’s |
| Food | Joja Cola, Candy, Chips | Unique to Joja |
| Decor | Wallpaper, Flooring | Same as Pierre’s |
| Tools | Basic tools | Same as Pierre’s |
Morris’s Daily Schedule
Before Joja Mart closes, Morris follows a predictable schedule:
| Time | Location | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Joja Mart | Opens the store |
| 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Joja Mart | Manages the store |
| 5:00 PM | Joja Mart | Closes the store |
| 5:30 PM | Pelican Town | Walks around town |
| 7:00 PM | Home | Returns to his residence |
The Community Center vs. Joja: A Detailed Comparison
Long-Term Economic Impact
The choice between the Community Center and Joja Mart has significant long-term economic implications:
| Factor | Community Center | Joja Membership |
|---|---|---|
| Movie Theater | Yes (exclusive) | No |
| Greenhouse | Yes (bundle reward) | No (must purchase separately) |
| Minecarts | Yes (bundle reward) | No (must repair separately) |
| Bus Repair | Yes (bundle reward) | Yes (purchase) |
| Bridge Repair | Yes (bundle reward) | Yes (purchase) |
| Glittering Boulder Removal | Yes (bundle reward) | Yes (purchase) |
| Total Cost (Joja path) | Free (item collection) | ~42,500g |
| Time Investment | High (collecting items) | Low (gold payments) |
| Lore Value | High (Junimo storyline) | Low (corporate storyline) |
Pierre’s Store Behavior
The Community Center vs. Joja choice affects Pierre’s General Store:
- With Joja Mart Open: Pierre has reduced hours and lower morale. He occasionally complains about Joja’s competition.
- After Joja Mart Closes: Pierre’s store thrives. He extends his hours and is generally happier.
- Wednesday Closure: Pierre’s store is always closed on Wednesdays, regardless of Joja Mart’s status.
Morris: Character Analysis
Personality Traits
Morris Tod is deliberately designed as an unlikable character:
- Corporate Enthusiasm: His overly enthusiastic attitude about Joja products comes across as insincere.
- Dismissive: He dismisses concerns about Joja’s impact on the community.
- Ambitious: Morris is focused on corporate success rather than community well-being.
- Complex: Despite his unlikable exterior, some players find Morris sympathetic as a person trapped in a corporate system.
Morris’s Relationship with Other NPCs
| NPC | Relationship with Morris |
|---|---|
| Pierre | Rival and competitor |
| Mayor Lewis | Business partner (ambiguous) |
| Other Townspeople | Generally dislike him |
| Player | Depends on player’s choices |
Morris’s Fate After Joja Closes
After Joja Mart closes in the Community Center path:
- Letter: Morris sends a letter saying he has been transferred to another Joja Mart location.
- No Return: He does not appear in Pelican Town again.
- Legacy: The abandoned building and eventual Movie Theater serve as reminders of his presence.
- Player Sentiment: Most players feel a sense of satisfaction when Joja Mart closes.
Can I visit the Movie Theater alone? Yes, you can enter the Movie Theater and watch a movie by yourself. However, you will not receive the friendship boost that comes from bringing an NPC companion.
Does the Movie Theater generate income? No, the Movie Theater does not generate passive income. It is a community feature, not a business.
Can I still buy Joja Cola after Joja Mart closes? Yes, Joja Cola is available at the Movie Theater concession stand and occasionally from the traveling cart.
What happens to the Abandoned Joja Mart if I never build the Movie Theater? The building remains abandoned indefinitely. There is no time limit on building the Movie Theater, so you can construct it whenever you have the resources.
Does Morris appear in the Movie Theater? No, Morris does not appear in the Movie Theater after it is built. He has left Pelican Town permanently in the Community Center path.