Dine-In cinemas are expensive to run and the patrons did not order much is the cause of the failure of the LOOK chain in working-class neighborhoods. I think developers of dine-ins should remain in hi-income areas only.
LOOK Dine-In Cinemas has abruptly closed three locations in metropolitan Los Angeles as the independent theater chain continues to face financial difficulties.
The Texas-based company confirmed to KTLA on Monday that its theaters in Downey, Redlands and Monrovia closed over the weekend. Its Glendale location at 128 Artsakh Ave. remained open.
“This was not an easy decision and is in no way a reflection on the dedication, talent or hard work of the teams in these locations,” the company said in a statement. “California has been an important part of our company’s history, and we are deeply grateful for the commitment our team members bring to our customers and communities every day.”
On Sunday night, Redlands News published photos of workers removing furniture and equipment from the location at 10030 Alabama St. and loading them into a U-Haul. Showtime listings for the theater were still available on Fandango as late as 7:45 p.m., though it is unclear whether those screenings took place, the outlet reported.
”
LOOK Dine-In Cinemas has abruptly closed three locations in metropolitan Los Angeles as the independent theater chain continues to face financial difficulties.
The Texas-based company confirmed to KTLA on Monday that its theaters in Downey, Redlands and Monrovia closed over the weekend. Its Glendale location at 128 Artsakh Ave. remained open.
“This was not an easy decision and is in no way a reflection on the dedication, talent or hard work of the teams in these locations,” the company said in a statement. “California has been an important part of our company’s history, and we are deeply grateful for the commitment our team members bring to our customers and communities every day.”
On Sunday night, Redlands News published photos of workers removing furniture and equipment from the location at 10030 Alabama St. and loading them into a U-Haul. Showtime listings for the theater were still available on Fandango as late as 7:45 p.m., though it is unclear whether those screenings took place, the outlet reported.
“Sun City’s first and only movie theater – the ALCO Signs of Sun City’s Past by Ed Allen
By 1971, Sun City’s population had grown to
more than 18,000, and a 4th shopping center
was started – the La Ronde Center. Like the
streets around it, the center was circular
with Del Webb Blvd slicing through the
middle. Surveys of residents had showed a
desire for a local movie theater, and this
center would include one – the ALCO.
DEVCO owned the building but leased the
theater and parking spaces to a group of
Phoenix-area investors. The 450-seat
theater opened Jan. 12, 1972 with the film
“Song of Norway.”
While the movie theater had been widely anticipated, it was lightly patronized. DEVCO tried to help keep it
going by reducing the leasing fees, but the theater struggled.
A deal was worked out with the Boswell Memorial Hospital Auxiliary to sell books of tickets at a discount to help
build attendance, as well as raise funds for the medical center. In 1978, sales through the Auxiliary accounted
for more than 60% of the theater’s revenues but nowhere near enough to achieve profitability.
Along the way the theater tried to broaden its appeal by offering some “R” and “X-rated” films, but those were
even less popular. A return to the “golden oldies” like “Gone with the Wind” spurred attendance for a while, but
the popularity of TV – and movies on TV for free – worked against the ALCO.
As a result, the investing group announced plans to close the theater at the end of their lease. This would be to
DEVCO’s advantage as they had been leasing the space for a much lower rate than could be obtained from a
commercial tenant. Sun City Town Meeting Association members strongly protested the closure, and Meeker
gave them the opportunity to show their support by providing a written promise to sell the number of tickets
required for the theater to break-even. They had the hospital auxiliary’s support, and only needed to marshal
their members to add to the number of tickets sold to meet that goal.
The theater stayed alive and in subsequent years was
managed for a time by Blair Theatres, and then by
United Artists Theatres. Oddly enough, the greatest
success of the Alco Theater would come as a place to
host community meetings. While residents didn’t
turn out in great numbers for movies, they filled the
theater for public meetings of SCHOA, the Sun City
Taxpayers, and other civic organizations. Meetings to
discuss Incorporation filled the theater to
overflowing. Church groups used the theater until
their memberships grew to the point they could build
their own facilities.
But movie attendance continued to decline. An offer to turn the ALCO into a live theater fell through, and its last
film, the police thriller “Q&A” was shown Feb. 4, 1990. Fewer than 40 people paid the $2.50 to attend.
The building was soon converted to other commercial uses. The entire La Ronde Center was given a new façade
a few years ago, but the curbside planter and two thin, twin pillars mark the ALCO’s location on the west side of
the Center. Today, the building is part of the Maxwell Group clinic and offices.”
Reopened as Grace on March 20th, 1915. Grand opening ad posted
Dine-In cinemas are expensive to run and the patrons did not order much is the cause of the failure of the LOOK chain in working-class neighborhoods. I think developers of dine-ins should remain in hi-income areas only.
“ KTLA
LOOK Dine-In Cinemas has abruptly closed three locations in metropolitan Los Angeles as the independent theater chain continues to face financial difficulties.
The Texas-based company confirmed to KTLA on Monday that its theaters in Downey, Redlands and Monrovia closed over the weekend. Its Glendale location at 128 Artsakh Ave. remained open.
“This was not an easy decision and is in no way a reflection on the dedication, talent or hard work of the teams in these locations,” the company said in a statement. “California has been an important part of our company’s history, and we are deeply grateful for the commitment our team members bring to our customers and communities every day.”
On Sunday night, Redlands News published photos of workers removing furniture and equipment from the location at 10030 Alabama St. and loading them into a U-Haul. Showtime listings for the theater were still available on Fandango as late as 7:45 p.m., though it is unclear whether those screenings took place, the outlet reported. ”
KTLA
LOOK Dine-In Cinemas has abruptly closed three locations in metropolitan Los Angeles as the independent theater chain continues to face financial difficulties.
The Texas-based company confirmed to KTLA on Monday that its theaters in Downey, Redlands and Monrovia closed over the weekend. Its Glendale location at 128 Artsakh Ave. remained open.
“This was not an easy decision and is in no way a reflection on the dedication, talent or hard work of the teams in these locations,” the company said in a statement. “California has been an important part of our company’s history, and we are deeply grateful for the commitment our team members bring to our customers and communities every day.”
On Sunday night, Redlands News published photos of workers removing furniture and equipment from the location at 10030 Alabama St. and loading them into a U-Haul. Showtime listings for the theater were still available on Fandango as late as 7:45 p.m., though it is unclear whether those screenings took place, the outlet reported.
Article of interest.
Duffy Besenski‘s Cinema Apr 16, 1983 Star-Phoenix (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada) Newspapers.com
Appears to be closed as it’s stricken off the LOOK Website.
An busy night in the 1960s
Busy night in March, 1942. https://youtu.be/GIM7DeFxvLI
Busy night in 1977.
Found online:
“Sun City’s first and only movie theater – the ALCO Signs of Sun City’s Past by Ed Allen By 1971, Sun City’s population had grown to more than 18,000, and a 4th shopping center was started – the La Ronde Center. Like the streets around it, the center was circular with Del Webb Blvd slicing through the middle. Surveys of residents had showed a desire for a local movie theater, and this center would include one – the ALCO. DEVCO owned the building but leased the theater and parking spaces to a group of Phoenix-area investors. The 450-seat theater opened Jan. 12, 1972 with the film “Song of Norway.” While the movie theater had been widely anticipated, it was lightly patronized. DEVCO tried to help keep it going by reducing the leasing fees, but the theater struggled. A deal was worked out with the Boswell Memorial Hospital Auxiliary to sell books of tickets at a discount to help build attendance, as well as raise funds for the medical center. In 1978, sales through the Auxiliary accounted for more than 60% of the theater’s revenues but nowhere near enough to achieve profitability. Along the way the theater tried to broaden its appeal by offering some “R” and “X-rated” films, but those were even less popular. A return to the “golden oldies” like “Gone with the Wind” spurred attendance for a while, but the popularity of TV – and movies on TV for free – worked against the ALCO. As a result, the investing group announced plans to close the theater at the end of their lease. This would be to DEVCO’s advantage as they had been leasing the space for a much lower rate than could be obtained from a commercial tenant. Sun City Town Meeting Association members strongly protested the closure, and Meeker gave them the opportunity to show their support by providing a written promise to sell the number of tickets required for the theater to break-even. They had the hospital auxiliary’s support, and only needed to marshal their members to add to the number of tickets sold to meet that goal. The theater stayed alive and in subsequent years was managed for a time by Blair Theatres, and then by United Artists Theatres. Oddly enough, the greatest success of the Alco Theater would come as a place to host community meetings. While residents didn’t turn out in great numbers for movies, they filled the theater for public meetings of SCHOA, the Sun City Taxpayers, and other civic organizations. Meetings to discuss Incorporation filled the theater to overflowing. Church groups used the theater until their memberships grew to the point they could build their own facilities. But movie attendance continued to decline. An offer to turn the ALCO into a live theater fell through, and its last film, the police thriller “Q&A” was shown Feb. 4, 1990. Fewer than 40 people paid the $2.50 to attend. The building was soon converted to other commercial uses. The entire La Ronde Center was given a new façade a few years ago, but the curbside planter and two thin, twin pillars mark the ALCO’s location on the west side of the Center. Today, the building is part of the Maxwell Group clinic and offices.”
Grand opening ad and picture posted.
Infographic basted on rpierce‘s text along with the grand opening ad and pictures with AI enhanced and non enhanced versions posted.
This theatre closed on January 27th, 1987. Article:
Grand opening ad:
Cinema 6 opening by Stewart & Everett Oct 14, 1983 Daily News (Jacksonville, North Carolina) Newspapers.com
Closed as Festival in 1983 as home video hammered adult cinemas.
January 23rd, 2026 grand opening ad posted. It’s the first new cinema to open in 2026 in America.
and now renamed AMC Kalli 12 in 2021
After i asked AI to restore the theatre and fix the lighting
On a busy evening:
1946 aerial posted.
1972 aerial posted.
The Unique theatre opened on October 30th, 1908. Grand opening ad posted.
Strand fire:
Strand theatre fire Dec 8, 1917 Spokane Chronicle (Spokane, Washington) Newspapers.com
This opened as Columbia on May 1st, 1906 and reopened as the Orpheum on August 23rd, 1908. Grand opening ads posted.
Grand opening ad posted.