What's the latest theatre to close or open you have heard about?

[Mark Gulbrandsen]

Mall-based theaters have had a bad couple of years, and I don't see that trend ending anytime soon. There is little incentive for a theater to move into a mall, as the only benefit is foot traffic, and so many (enclosed) malls are ghost towns just waiting to be converted into open-air malls/towne centers. Although, looking at a directory of the Governor's Square Mall, it appears to be well occupied.

I would say that being inside a mall is actually a detriment to business, because people have to go into the mall to get to the theater instead of going right in from the parking lot. Being on the backside of the mall with no exterior entrance exacerbates that issue. The mall will likely be offering pretty good terms to any operator that wants to take over the operation, which would be the best reason for someone to do so, IMO.

Most of the Malls around here have been going gangbusters. In fact outdoor malls have become the new fad. The AMC Bellevue is at the end of a brand new outdoor mall that was built after the old indoor mall was torn down... about the same time I moved here in early 2018. Lots of stores and restaurants there, most restaurants have outdoor seating. Outdoor seating also seems to be the rage, as many Nashville area restaurants have added outdoor eating space that was not there just a few years ago. Right now, there are 100 people a day moving to Nashville, and the outlying cities like Clarksville, Springfield, Hendersonville and Goodlettsville are building like gangbusters. Hence, if a theater that can not make it here, there is something seriously wrong at, or with, a given location. Or the operator of the theater is just not at all knowledgeable about Cinemas.

[Scott Jentsch]

Scott, It's strange that the 10 screen in Clarksville closed. Clarksville and Ft Campbell, KY are actually connected and Ft Campbell spills over into Clarksville. Not to be able to operate a 10 screen theater in that area really surprises me. Yes, possibly lease related, but if a theater operator can't make a good go of it when there is a local army base, then he sure isn't going to be able to make a go of it either way...

Mall-based theaters have had a bad couple of years, and I don't see that trend ending anytime soon. There is little incentive for a theater to move into a mall, as the only benefit is foot traffic, and so many (enclosed) malls are ghost towns just waiting to be converted into open-air malls/towne centers. Although, looking at a directory of the Governor's Square Mall, it appears to be well occupied.

I would say that being inside a mall is actually a detriment to business, because people have to go into the mall to get to the theater instead of going right in from the parking lot. Being on the backside of the mall with no exterior entrance exacerbates that issue. The mall will likely be offering pretty good terms to any operator that wants to take over the operation, which would be the best reason for someone to do so, IMO.

[Mark Gulbrandsen]

Scott, It's strange that the 10 screen in Clarksville closed. Clarksville and Ft Campbell, KY are actually connected and Ft Campbell spills over into Clarksville. Not to be able to operate a 10 screen theater in that area really surprises me. Yes, possibly lease related, but if a theater operator can't make a good go of it when there is a local army base, then he sure isn't going to be able to make a go of it either way...
As far as the AMC in Bellevue, I live a couple miles from it. Absolutely the worst AMC I've ever been in!

[Lyle Romer]

I've missed quite a few months, so I'll just cover the articles that I have written in August and September.

Closings

• Denver, CO: Landmark Chez Artiste Theatre Closed
• El Paso, TX: AMC Classic East Pointe 12 Closed
• Sarver, PA: South Pike Movie Theater Closed, Owner Hopes to Reopen in September
• Newburgh, NY: Movie Theater Announces Plans to Close
• Clarksville, TN: Governor's Square Movie Theater Closed, But Movies May Return
• Tiffin, OH: Tiffin Mall Movie Theater Closed, But Not for Long
• Pullman, WA: Village Centre Cinemas Pullman Closing September 5
• Palo Alto, CA: Closed Since 2020, New Plans Dim Hopes for Movie Theater at Palo Alto Square
• Foothill Ranch, CA: Cinemark's Foothill Ranch Town Centre Movie Theater Closed
• Londonderry, NH: AMC Classic Londonderry 10 Closed
• Santa Barbara, CA: Metropolitan Fiesta 5 Theatre Closed
• Estes Park, CO: Stanley Village Shopping Center Movie Theater Closed
• Santa Monica, CA: AMC Broadway 4 Closed

Openings

• Norwalk, CA: Milagro Norwalk 8 Opening August 2
• Sturbridge, MA: Former Cinemagic Movie Theater Reopening in Fall Under New Management
• Satellite Beach, FL: Satellite Cinemas Opening August 23
• Springfield, MO: Closed Since January 2023, Downtown Movie Theater Plans Reopening in November
• Houston, TX: Closed Since 2021, River Oaks Theatre Reopening in October
• Yucca Valley, CA: Paradigm Cinemas - Yucca Valley Now Open
• Longview, TX: Film Alley Longview to Replace Former Regal Longview
• Macedonia, OH: See Photos of the New B & B Macedonia 15 -- Now Open!
• South Portland, ME: Entertainment Cinemas - The Shops at Clarks Pond Now Open

Overall, a fairly balanced list. Is it an indication that the bleeding has largely stopped, or just a matter of things taking a breath? As always, time will tell.

I think a lot of the closing timings depend on when leases expire. The balance may be a good sign or may be just coincidence.

[Bill Seipel]

The Chillicothe Town Theater will cease running 1st run films on Oct 31

full statement via facebook:

"Passing the Torch: A New Beginning
The 2020 pandemic created incredible difficulty for small town theaters. In 2021 the Chillicothe Optimist Town Theatre reached out through GoFundMe in order to keep the doors open. The public responded amazingly! Over $12,650 was raised for a $10,000 goal.
This outpouring of financial support truly showed the heart of the community. These funds allowed the Town Theatre to review and update its business model by adding subscription options and punch cards. While this financial support helped the Town Theatre’s immediate financial need, what didn’t change was an increase in attendance. In order to have a thriving theater the community has to show up. Since reopening, movie habits have changed. Not only for the Town Theatre, but for theaters across the US. People just weren’t coming to the movie theater. The absence of a full house attendance, the price increase of goods and services, combined with the minimum wage increase left a negative monthly impact on the Town Theatre’s budget. The Optimist Town Theatre could no longer fulfill their mission of giving back to the non-profit organizations supporting children within our community.
After much deliberation and extensive research the Optimist Club and the Town Theatre board recognized in order to preserve the Town Theatre’s presence on Historic Downtown 2nd Street the business model would once again need to be changed.
Seeking an entrepreneur with the vision to convert the Town Theatre into a thriving Theatre for Performing Arts, the Optimist Club and Theatre Board met with local businessman Mike Tobin of Tobin Brothers and MKjea Properties LLC. From the initial meeting, Mike not only understood the historic significance of the Town Theatre but had a much bigger vision of what it could become. As a Theatre for Performing Arts, the ability to have musical performances, comedian acts, and a home to the local theater group are all envisioned for the future. While no longer operating as a first run theater, the Theatre for Performing Arts will still be able to show movies.
Since November 2009, through the efforts of the Chillicothe Town Theatre the Optimist Club of Chillicothe has given back over $150,000 to organizations supporting children. In November of 2024, the Optimist Town Theatre is passing the torch to Mike Tobin and looking forward to a new beginning to this historic gem. First run movies will continue to run through the last weekend in October. Grab your family, friends and neighbors for this final chapter of this traditional movie theater. Renovation plans will begin in Spring of 2025 and the opening of the Theatre for Performing Arts is planned to take place late 2025."

Disappointing as this theater has been a first run theater for a long time now I believe.

[Ed Gordon]

Grand Illusion is Moving — But It’s Not Going Far
Story by Sarah Stackhouse

After more than 50 years of screenings in the U District, the Grand Illusion Cinema is losing its lease. The historic arthouse, which has been a staple of Seattle’s film scene since 1970, will have to move from its 1403 N.E. 50th St. location by February 2025 — but it’s not the end of the story.

“Our plan has always been to relocate the cinema and build an even grander Grand Illusion,” says Executive Director Brian Alter. “Now we are moving up the timing of that relocation plan.”

The Grand Illusion, known for its red velvet curtains, pressed tin ceiling, and cozy atmosphere, has operated as a nonprofit since 2004 and is the only 100% volunteer-run cinema in the country. A small group of more than 30 volunteers has kept the theater alive through decades of changes. Now, with the building sold and the lease ending, they’re asking for help to secure a new home.

The cinema has launched a relocation campaign, with a goal of staying in the U District. “It will take time and money to recreate the magic,” says Alter. “We’re confident this is possible, and we need our community’s support to make this happen.”

The Grand Illusion has always been more than just a place to watch new movies. As the city’s first arthouse cinema, its eclectic programming — ranging from foreign films and cult classics to late-night oddities — has made it a favorite for Seattlites. Right now, it’s showing the 1999 horror movie Ravenous (which is the scariest thing I’ve ever seen) in 35mm and the 1922 silent film Nosferatu (paired with Radiohead’s Kid A and Amnesiac) as part of its Silent Synched series, along with other interesting picks.

The cinema will close its doors at the current location on Friday, Jan. 31. While it searches for a new space, Grand Illusion is partnering with Northwest Film Forum to host pop-up screenings around the city. More information about those pop-ups will be announced in the coming months.

Source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/new...ar/ar-AA1rBGs5


Grand Illusion Cinema relocating | FOX 13 Seattle

[Scott Jentsch]

I've missed quite a few months, so I'll just cover the articles that I have written in August and September.

Closings

• Denver, CO: Landmark Chez Artiste Theatre Closed
• El Paso, TX: AMC Classic East Pointe 12 Closed
• Sarver, PA: South Pike Movie Theater Closed, Owner Hopes to Reopen in September
• Newburgh, NY: Movie Theater Announces Plans to Close
• Clarksville, TN: Governor's Square Movie Theater Closed, But Movies May Return
• Tiffin, OH: Tiffin Mall Movie Theater Closed, But Not for Long
• Pullman, WA: Village Centre Cinemas Pullman Closing September 5
• Palo Alto, CA: Closed Since 2020, New Plans Dim Hopes for Movie Theater at Palo Alto Square
• Foothill Ranch, CA: Cinemark's Foothill Ranch Town Centre Movie Theater Closed
• Londonderry, NH: AMC Classic Londonderry 10 Closed
• Santa Barbara, CA: Metropolitan Fiesta 5 Theatre Closed
• Estes Park, CO: Stanley Village Shopping Center Movie Theater Closed
• Santa Monica, CA: AMC Broadway 4 Closed

Openings

• Norwalk, CA: Milagro Norwalk 8 Opening August 2
• Sturbridge, MA: Former Cinemagic Movie Theater Reopening in Fall Under New Management
• Satellite Beach, FL: Satellite Cinemas Opening August 23
• Springfield, MO: Closed Since January 2023, Downtown Movie Theater Plans Reopening in November
• Houston, TX: Closed Since 2021, River Oaks Theatre Reopening in October
• Yucca Valley, CA: Paradigm Cinemas - Yucca Valley Now Open
• Longview, TX: Film Alley Longview to Replace Former Regal Longview
• Macedonia, OH: See Photos of the New B & B Macedonia 15 -- Now Open!
• South Portland, ME: Entertainment Cinemas - The Shops at Clarks Pond Now Open

Overall, a fairly balanced list. Is it an indication that the bleeding has largely stopped, or just a matter of things taking a breath? As always, time will tell.

[Phil Ranucci]

Metropolitan Theatres Fiesta 5 in Santa Barbara, CA. Sept. 19 was the last day. Started demo the next morning.

[Mark Ogden]

The AMC Broadway 4 on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, California closed a few days ago. Built on the site of the former El Miro Theatre while retaining its facade, it opened in 1989 under Cineplex, and was remodeled at least once by AMC.

[William Kucharski]

“Well, we're closing because of a change in the way that people do movies,” MacGregor said. “They don't go and sit together in a big theater any longer and enjoy the thrills together. They stay at home and they watch by themselves. And I find that really sad.”

[Jim Cassedy]

Kerasotes closed four Showplace ICON theaters
in major locations on July 2, most had only been open six or less years:

• Mountain View, California (San Antonio Center)
• San Jose, California (Valley Fair)
• Chicago (South Loop)
• St. Louis Park (Minneapolis)

According to a recent press release, the theater in Mountain View is one that Alamo
Drafthouse is planning on re-opening under its' own brand. The press release also
mentioned The Valley Fair as a 2nd location Alamo was attempting to acquire

[Frank Cox]

The Orpheum Theatre in Estevan, Saskatchewan is closed for "several months" due to flooding.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saska...nema-1.7318215

[Daniel Fredrickson]

Village Centre Cinemas 8 in Pullman, WA. Closing tomorrow, 09/05/2024.

They say that they are closing because of "high taxes and minimum wage," however I suspect that is only part of the story; otherwise no smaller theaters/chains would still exist in the State of Washington.

https://www.krem.com/article/news/lo...1-3e3df0a9aa36

[Harold Hallikainen]

Since this is a bankruptcy auction, I wonder if a buyer could make a profit showing movies (and selling popcorn) if they were not stuck with the huge debt.

On another note, a local non-profit theater is expanding. See https://loftcinema.org/support-the-loft/campaign/ .

Harold

[Ian Puffenberger]

The entire Landmark chain is set to hit the auction block in November:

https://deadline.com/2024/08/landmar...on-1236039527/

The loss of this entire chain would be devastating for the art house scene in a lot of cities, and could quite possibly portend the death of art house cinema as an art form as all such movies will just be dumped on tv. Local to myself, this probably explains why the Landmark Bethesda Row has been shrinking their operation over the last couple weeks. It's an eight screen theater but they only have six operating this week, and starting Friday it's down to five.