Independent theaters close in Detroit and Seattle

posted by CSWalczak on May 11, 2011 at 7:45 am

DETROIT, MI — Unable to come to terms with their landlord over the rent, the operators of the independent Burton Theatre which opened in 2009 abruptly closed the cinema down on May 2. The small art and independent theater had operated in the auditorium of a former Detroit school building. The owners hope to reopen a facility elsewhere There are stories here and here.

SEATTLE, WA — The owner of the Columbia City Cinema has abandoned any further efforts to keep the triplex open and closed it as of May 5. Over the last year or so, a number of ventures to raise additional funds were advanced to keep the cinema open. The City of Seattle had demanded that a sprinkler system be installed and other improvements made to bring the theater, located in a former Masonic Hall, into compliance with building code requirements. There is more in the Seattle Times.

Theaters in this post

• Ark Lodge Cinemas
• Cinema Detroit