Can confirm this theater is now permanently closed. :(
At the time of closure it had 7.1 digital sound and Sony 4k digital projection. At least one but I think a few of the auditoriums were originally built to THX spec. It was a nice quiet low traffic location to watch a movie. Shallow stadium seating with attractive dark green velour seating.
Kim Jennings and Winston Bennett purchased the building in 2011 and over the course of 10 years have done some rehab including a new roof, but never fully finished the project or reopened the theater. They finished the area behind the screen/stage for dressing rooms, and flattened the rear of the auditorium to make space for tables and a bar.
They sold the building within the last month(Jan/Feb 2021) to Andy Montee and his mother, who plan to restore the exterior and rehab the interior further with plans for live entertainment and food service with a kitchen and bar. Expected to reopen early 2022.
This theater will unfortunately be closing permanently on Sunday, May 19th, 2019 to make room for a Nordstroms. It is possible that half of the auditoriums get redone for a smaller, more upscale complex a few years in the future according to this article:
15 year lease was up, and they didn’t renew due to poor business and the mall being a ghost town. Some seats will end up in the Hollywood 10 in St. Joseph, MO. Total complex seat count at time of closure: 4,043
This building now houses Lehr Construction Company. Slope floor is still intact, as is some of the interior architecture and the basic elements of the front facade. Kudos to them for keeping the shell intact and in good shape, you never know what could happen in the future…
The building is indeed still standing. Has been vacant since April 1st, 2014. With a leaking roof over most of the auditoriums, and a large hole in the low spot of the lobby roof, the interior is in absolute deplorable condition with mold covering everything and crumbling ceilings. On top of the vandalism, the leasing party had a crew come in to strip all projection and sound equipment leaving the building a sad hollow shell of its former self. I hear from a moderately reputable source that Price Chopper plans to “break ground” this spring, 2015. How sad…
Fun Fact: This Bridge Drive-in opened as Skylark Drive-in the same year the Skylark Drive-in in St. Joseph opened(1949) by the same owners, closed the same year(1982), and both had their gently used SPECO 35mm platter trees transferred to the brand new Plaza 4 in St. Joseph upon opening. Both platters were on location, the St. Joseph Skylark platter even used, up until Plaza 8’s closing in March 2014.
2,657 seats
3,246 seats
Can confirm this theater is now permanently closed. :(
At the time of closure it had 7.1 digital sound and Sony 4k digital projection. At least one but I think a few of the auditoriums were originally built to THX spec. It was a nice quiet low traffic location to watch a movie. Shallow stadium seating with attractive dark green velour seating.
Kim Jennings and Winston Bennett purchased the building in 2011 and over the course of 10 years have done some rehab including a new roof, but never fully finished the project or reopened the theater. They finished the area behind the screen/stage for dressing rooms, and flattened the rear of the auditorium to make space for tables and a bar.
They sold the building within the last month(Jan/Feb 2021) to Andy Montee and his mother, who plan to restore the exterior and rehab the interior further with plans for live entertainment and food service with a kitchen and bar. Expected to reopen early 2022.
This theater will unfortunately be closing permanently on Sunday, May 19th, 2019 to make room for a Nordstroms. It is possible that half of the auditoriums get redone for a smaller, more upscale complex a few years in the future according to this article:
https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/cityscape/article230341349.html
985 seats after recliner conversion
1432 seats
2,674 seats
515 seats after recliner conversion
2,150 seats
Seat count: 2,752
Seat count: 1,992
Seat count: 3379
15 year lease was up, and they didn’t renew due to poor business and the mall being a ghost town. Some seats will end up in the Hollywood 10 in St. Joseph, MO. Total complex seat count at time of closure: 4,043
This building now houses Lehr Construction Company. Slope floor is still intact, as is some of the interior architecture and the basic elements of the front facade. Kudos to them for keeping the shell intact and in good shape, you never know what could happen in the future…
Reportedly played E.T. in 70mm for two weeks starting on April 1st, 1983
As far as I can tell looking at Google Earth satellite imagery, this theater was demolished sometime in the early 2000’s.
This theater has REOPENED, under the company “Picture Show” theaters.
http://www.nbc11news.com/content/news/399567741.html
According to Kodak’s website, this theater is still 35mm capable(if not reliant?) as of April 2016 with a print of Batman vs Superman.
Building is officially DEMOLISHED.
This theater had 70mm film capability and played at minimum “INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE” in 70mm in 1989.
Norman, I’m glad you got a picture of this original sign before they changed it to the tacky bank provided sign.
The building is indeed still standing. Has been vacant since April 1st, 2014. With a leaking roof over most of the auditoriums, and a large hole in the low spot of the lobby roof, the interior is in absolute deplorable condition with mold covering everything and crumbling ceilings. On top of the vandalism, the leasing party had a crew come in to strip all projection and sound equipment leaving the building a sad hollow shell of its former self. I hear from a moderately reputable source that Price Chopper plans to “break ground” this spring, 2015. How sad…
This theater is slated to get a 5/70mm print of Interstellar November 4th 2014
Fun Fact: This Bridge Drive-in opened as Skylark Drive-in the same year the Skylark Drive-in in St. Joseph opened(1949) by the same owners, closed the same year(1982), and both had their gently used SPECO 35mm platter trees transferred to the brand new Plaza 4 in St. Joseph upon opening. Both platters were on location, the St. Joseph Skylark platter even used, up until Plaza 8’s closing in March 2014.