CHAPEL HILL,NC — After initially reporting the possibility, as of Friday, June 26,2009....the only movie theatre located in Downtown Chapel Hill, the Varsity Theatre, closed its doors forever.

The Varsity, whose theater marquee is the icon of Franklin Street, is closing according to its owner Bruce Stone. Despite rumors and blogs that said the theater was going to close, it wasn’t official until Stone made the announcement on Thursday, June 25, 2009.

The theater has been in business for 80 years and it is considered to be a Chapel Hill landmark serving not only the residents and patrons, but also serving the entire communities of Orange County, including nearby University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The last two picture shows that played at the Varsity were “The Hangover”, and “The Brothers Bloom”.

More on this at the Herald Sun(reg rqr’d).