OLYMPIA, WA — Regal Entertainment is closing two movie theaters in Olympia, Wash., as it opens a new 16-screen megaplex in nearby Lacey, Wash.
Closing are the Lacey Cinemas (eight screens) and the Capital Mall 4. Both will close Thursday, Aug. 25. A local church will acquire the Lacey Cinemas space this year. The fate of the Capital Mall space (which is actually inside the mall) is not decided. Century Theaters, however, has announced plans to build a 14-screen theater on the mall campus.
Although I am sad whenever a theater closes, I can’t say I am hugely disappointed that these two are in their final days. They were very typical of original megaplexes, and they weren’t super-clean or well-updated. I remember sitting in the Capital Mall theater watching one film, but I could hear the movie next door. One friend said she will be heading to the two theaters for a last time this week to get her feet stuck to the floor.
Nonetheless, it is the end of era ... but the beginning of a new one.
Side note: The closure of the Lacey and Capital Mall theaters means there will be only one movie theater in the Olympia city limits at this time. The Olympia Film Society shows arthouse/indie films at Capitol Theatre in downtown Olympia.