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Closings
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September 23, 2010
Schuylkill Mall theaters closing in October
FRACKVILLE, PA – After three decades, the Schuylkill Mall 4 theaters will be closed by Regal as of October 4. It opened as as the UA-operated The Movies at Schuylkill Mall, one of a group of theaters with similar names that UA opened around the country in the 1970s and 80s.
The four-theater complex began operations when the Schuylkill Mall opened in 1980. Regal Entertainment was formed in 2002 when United Artists Theaters and two other theater chains became part of the new parent company.
Mall general manager Elaine Maneval received the bad news Friday by e-mail.
“We knew that the lease was coming up for renewal,” said Maneval, “so you always put a company on your radar for when the lease is almost up.”
The full story is in the Republican Herald.
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September 20, 2010
Beach Theater closes
FORT MYERS BEACH, FL — The four-screen Beach Theater has closed due to poor attendance. Recent attempts to sell it were unsuccessful, but a buyer may now be coming forward.
Manager Nick Campo blamed the economy and a lack of good movies being released.
The theater’s attendance had dwindled to 50 or so people a day – compared to 150-200 a day at Marco Movie Theater, Campo said. Both theaters are owned by the same business partners.
The full story is in the News-Press.
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September 16, 2010
After 73 years, Woodland’s State Theater closes down
WOODLAND, CA — Its future now uncertain, the State Theater closed on Labor Day. Opened in 1936 and triplexed in 1977, the theater retains many of the architectural features given to it by co-designer S. Charles Lee, though its facade was forcibly and drastically altered in 1966. One of two proposals in front of the city council would restore the State and incorporate it into a new multiplex.
Through such personal attention and ticket prices lower than those at Woodland’s other theater —– a five-screen Cinemark multiplex —– Morgan drew enough business to afford first-run Hollywood films, despite lacking the clout of the chains.
Then the recession hit, followed by changes in film-viewing habits. Woodland residents skipped hometown theaters for Sacramento screens with 3-D and digital projection, Morgan said. Or they rented DVDs for $1 at supermarket kiosks.
There is more and a slideshow in this article from the Sacramento Bee.
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September 13, 2010
Regal University 16 in Tampa now closed
TAMPA, FL — The aging Regal University 16 has been closed by its owner, Glimcher Realty Trust, which is exiting the theater business. Originally opened by GCC in 1974 as a twin, it was later expanded to a quad and eventually to its current megaplex status. The University Mall owner is hoping to attract a new operator who will renovate the theater complex.
The full story is at Tampa Bay Online.
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September 8, 2010
Rivergate Cinema 14 in Macon closes; to re-open as The Edge 14 after renovations
MACON, GA — Regal closed the Rivergate Cinema 14 on August 29. The cinema, opened in 1991, has been acquired by Naos Entertainment, which plans to reopen it later this year after a million dollar makeover. Naos recently renovated a former Regal theater in Birmingham, AL which is now called The Edge which is what this theater will known as when it is renovated.
Felts said furnishings and upgrades at the Macon multiplex will be similar to those in the company’s other theaters.
According to the Naos website, all auditoriums feature “wall-to-wall screens, stadium seating with 18-inch risers for backs and lifting cup holder arm rests for the ultimate in comfort.”
The full story is at Macon.com.
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August 27, 2010
Only operating cinema in Blythe closing
BLYTHE, CA — The All Star Cinemas, formerly the Blythe Cinema 4 is closing as of August 29. The theater, which opened about a decade ago, had been for sale in recent months.
Ramin Hashemi, managing partner of the local movie theater – the All Star Cinemas and Entertainment Center – came to town recently and sadly informed the staff that the curtain will come down on the only movie franchise in the Blythe environs on August 29th. The three-screen theater has been in operation for over a decade, replacing the old Blythe Movie Theatre that closed back in the early ‘90s.
The full story is in the Desert Independent.
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August 19, 2010
Dobie Theatre in Austin closes
AUSTIN, TX — Its current lease having expired, Landmark Theatres is closing the Dobie Theatre as of August 22. The theater, near the University of Texas campus, has been managed by Landmark since 1999. The theater’s landlord has been looking for a new operator for several months.
The move had been expected, but the date was unclear. In March, Landmark said it was not renewing the lease on the theaters where Richard Linklater’s “Slacker” premiered in 1990. But the center’s landlord, the Carlton Group, said at the time that it was talking to potential operators to take over the four-screen arthouse and return it to its tradition as an independent film space with a strong local flavor.
There was no immediate word on whether the Carlton Group, an international real estate investment bank, had secured another theater operator. As recently as last month, the owner was advertising for a theater manager.
There is more at Austin360.com.
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August 18, 2010
Lubbock’s Showplace 6 closing
LUBBOCK, TX — Most recently operated as a discount house, the Showplace 6 will be closed as of August 22. The theater opened in 1972 as a quad and was operated by Noret Theatres.
Business at Showplace did not factor into the decision. Noret said, “Our business is thriving, and we regret having to leave the Lubbock market without a secondary run at a great price.”
Rather, Noret said that Trinity Church wants to proceed this year with expansion of its Trinity Christian School in the shopping center where Showplace is housed.
There is more at Lubbock Online.
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August 16, 2010
San Francisco’s classic Clay Theatre closing
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Opened as a nickelodeon in 1910, the Clay Theatre is slated to close at the end of the month. Most recently operated by Landmark Theatres, it was one of the few remaining classic movie theaters operating in San Francisco.
Reaction around the neighborhood was uniform. Sandy Mullin, a longtime employee of nearby Browser Books, expressed her disappointment at the announcement. “It’s a blow to the neighborhood. It is a wonderful theater. It has a wonderful staff. I loved it when they showed European films, and art house films. I’m sad,” said Mullin.
The Clay, which first opened as a nickelodeon (admission to the movies was then only 5 cents), has played host to many memorable screenings, special events, and film festivals over the years. On closing weekend, the Clay will host another screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, with the cast of the participatory film event putting on a funeral for the theatre.
There is more about the closing in the Examiner.
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AMC Essex Green closes; will reopen as Fork & Screen in November
WEST ORANGE, NJ — The AMC Essex Green closed on August 8. A $5 million investment will convert it into one of AMC Fork & Screen operations, featuring bar service and in-theater dining. Approximately 60% of the theater’s seating will be sacrificed to accomplish the transition. AMC also plans two other Fork & Screen theaters in New Jersey.
AMC said in a statement today, “Fork & Screen is the name of AMC’s in-theatre dining concept, featuring Fork & Screen, a casual, in-theatre dining and entertainment experience; Cinema Suites, a premium, upscale in-theatre dining and entertainment option; and MacGuffins, a bar and lounge area.”
Two other movie-and-dining theaters are also planned in the state — in Bridgewater Commons and at Menlo Park, AMC’s press department told Baristanet by phone today (Aug. 6).
There is more here.