McDonald’s Hopes to Fry the Detroit Theater

posted by Ross Melnick on July 19, 2011 at 9:28 am

Medium

LAKEWOOD, OH — McDonald’s is working to purchase the historic Detroit Theater, which closed on January 30, 2011, and demolish it in order to build a new fast food outlet on the site, according to Cleveland’s TV station, Fox 8. Save The Detroit Theater has just been established to fight the corporation’s plan and raise the necessary funds to purchase the theater instead.

McDonald’s similarly tore down the Haleiwa Theater in Haleiwa, HI and residents are still mourning the loss many years later. The town is now without a single movie house.

(Thanks to the Theatre Historical Society for sharing this story on their Readerboard and to Steven Snodgrass for the photo.)

Theaters in this post

Comments (15)

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on July 20, 2011 at 9:07 am

Why couldn’t they do like they did in Raliegh,N.C. and just keep the theatre and build the fast food joint inside?

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick on July 20, 2011 at 9:41 am

A good question. Better yet: why not turn the lobby into a take-out McDonald’s/concession stand and keep the theater alive? McDonald’s could also start its own cinema eatery concept with McDonald’s food matched with second-run films. Of course none of this will happen and neither are part of their business model. It would be nice, though, to see a corporation think outside the box for the sake of the community and its own brand/image.

ChasSmith
ChasSmith on July 20, 2011 at 11:57 am

“a corporation think outside the box…” ?

Oh damn, I just woke up.

HowardBHaas
HowardBHaas on July 20, 2011 at 1:26 pm

Ross, I love the caption you gave this story “McDonald’s Hopes to Fry the Detroit Theater”

Marcel
Marcel on July 21, 2011 at 8:51 am

What a shame! Do we really need another McDonalds? Yes, that caption is great!

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on July 21, 2011 at 9:38 am

Another McDonalds,just what the world needs.

aymenbarry19
aymenbarry19 on July 21, 2011 at 7:44 pm

I agree with marcel that is a shame there is already a macdonalds probably 5 minutes from anyone’s house

Simon Overton
Simon Overton on July 22, 2011 at 12:23 pm

There’s probably a McDonalds across the street or at the other end of the block… we mustn’t stress patrons must we? So why not nail parlor instead?

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on July 22, 2011 at 3:15 pm

LOve it Simon.Great comment.

NeonSky
NeonSky on July 23, 2011 at 12:00 pm

This story really outrages me. How can we help outside Lakewood?

MPol
MPol on July 23, 2011 at 12:59 pm

I agree, NeonSky. With so little pleasures available for people, especially during these mean, lean times, it’s disgusting that McDonald’s wants to move in right under the people’s noses and take what’s left of the community for pleasure away from them. The people who’re out to save the Detroit Theatre should tell McDonald’s that they’re not wanted, and to take a hike

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on September 5, 2011 at 3:36 pm

Another Great comment.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on September 5, 2011 at 3:36 pm

Another Great comment.

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