Have a news tip for us?
Just email . Ideas for stories, links to interesting articles, and press releases are welcome.
Galaxy Theatres closes Kendig Square 6
posted by
dennisczimmerman
on
January 17, 2006 at 6:54 am
WILLOW STREET, PA — Galaxy Theatres has been operating the Kendig Square 6 since Dec. 2002. Citing continuing and mounting losses, the operators closed the theatres on Jan. 2, 2006. The shopping center management allowed them to get out of the remaining two years of their lease.
The theatres initially opened in 1992 and had numerous operators until Galaxy. At one time, it was even operated as a $1.00 admission reruns. Galaxy Theatres is based in New Jersey and operates other theatres in Pa, NY, NJ, and Mass. The shopping center owners have not announced what will happen to the theatres.
Comments (5)
Do not confuse this company the the www.galaxytheatres.com that operates theaters on the west coast.
Correct. The Galaxy Theatre Corp. operates out of New Jersey – their website is www.bigscreenclassics.com .
The Kendig Square 6 is being re-configured for traditional retail space by the landlord.
Central Pennsylvania has never been a big movie going area. The religious pennsylvania dutch influence has been an oft cited reason. Somewhat ironically the Kending managed to flourish in the late 1990’s as a discount operation because the pennsylvania dutch are notoriously frugal as well.
Jonathan – The population of Central Penna does not all ride around in Amish buggys! Up until the urban renewal of the 60’s Lancaster City and county supported four movie palaces in downtown Lancaster and a newer theatre – the King – that was a few blocks away from downtown that was built in the 50’s. In addition, most smaller towns in the county had their own “main street” theatres. Ephrata, PA in Northern Lancaster Co. had two theatres. The towns of Mt. Joy, Elizabethtown, Manheim, Columbia, Lititz, Marietta all had one theatre. Up until the recent downturn in movie attendance nationwide, the Regal 16 just outside of Lancaster was a box office hit. Many Saturday nights, there was not enough parking spaces in the shopping center for the store patrons and moviegoers. The Regal 16 was built in 1998. Regal purchased a already existing six theatre complex in the shopping center. After a few years, that comlex was demolished along with some empty stores to build the 16 theatre multiplex. The Kendig flourished for the families that could not afford to attend the first run higher priced theatres. In addition, Willow Street, Pa. is not exactly a metropolis. That area caters to mostly rural inhabitants. Of all areas of Lancaster County, that is probably the least populated per square mile.
P.S. Are you a resident of this area?
Jonathan: It is the Penna. Germans who were frugal. The Pa. Dutch call the rest of us residents “English.” The Pa. Dutch do not drive cars, have electric in their houses, or believe in any other “modern conveniences.” So, if the theatres in Lancaster Co. had to depend on the Pa. Dutch as moviegoers, they would have been out of business decades ago!