AMC Market Arcade 8

Reopened as Angelika Film Center on July 16th, 1999. Ad posted

Grand opening ad posted.

Sadly it’s still closed – it doesn’t appear that work has started despite the announcement AMC has executed a lease. (That’s only based on my observation of looking in from Main Street about three weeks ago). It’s a shame, this would be a nice compliment to the stores, restaurants, and hotels that have opened since this theater closed. The downtown area has seen positive growth and foot traffic with the addition of the Expo Market food hall next door. I do hope AMC is open to hosting / supporting local film and cultural events, although North Park has filled that void beautifully for many groups in town (along with Dipson Eastern Hills way out in the burbs)

The theatre is currently closed. A new operator is being sought.

I visited last week for the BNFF and the theater is still in limbo – it’s in a strange predicament because the building is technically owned by the city, operated by a NFP-board and managed by Dipson. The city, wanting to get out of the exhibition business has requested proposals from interested parties to acquire the building (which includes the cinema and some additional storefronts).

Officially the city hopes it’ll remain a theater (and that could be viable as this block of Main Street is about to reopen to motor traffic), but it certainly requires updates including at the very minimum digital projection to continue to operate. (The lobby with its Angelika fixtures is generally in good shape, while the auditoriums are all original GCC including seats, carpeting and walls treatments – not in poor repair but certainly could use a refresh). I’ve heard some speculation as to the theater’s future, truthfully I’d like to see something innovative happen here (WNY doesn’t have a single luxury cinema and only one microcinema that serves food and alcohol).

Last place in town to see a first run show in 35MM! (Movieland is 5/8ths 35MM – – and everyone else is fully digital)

Frequently only showing 7 movies (screen #4 still has 35MM equipment but is more frequently used for the Road Less Traveled Theatre – – and has a big stage that has cut that auditorium’s capacity drastically). One screen has a high quality non-DCI digital projector that they use for film festivals, local independent film screenings, and the theatre’s signature program Buffalo Film Seminars (although they occasionally do show a 35MM print at BFS).

Sadly I don’t know what the future for this complex is – and if it will make it and convert to digital (Dipson manages the complex for this NFP – – and Dipson has fully converted Amherst, Eastern Hills and Flix).

The Market Arcade Theatre opened December 18,1987 and was designed by Michael Hamilton.