University Cinemas 6
8925 J. M. Keynes Drive,
Charlotte,
NC
28262
8925 J. M. Keynes Drive,
Charlotte,
NC
28262
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Closed June 25th, 2000 (last day of showings).
The University Place opened on August 2nd, 1985. Grand opening ad uploaded into the photo section.
good story BINCHwb…
I don’t recall why, but after working at Town Cinema 6 for a while, I ended up working at University Place briefly, too. It was still run by Consolidated when I was there. The manager was Art Justice – super nice guy to work for. I worked there in 1988, but never advanced much further than concession worker (at Town Cinema, I was a projectionist/relief manager).
On Halloween night, 1988, the power was out in almost all of University Place. I think the grocery store was the only business with some sort of power running. We all stayed there anyway (on the clock, no less) and just hung out. The drink machines were electric, but the fruit punch machines still dispensed. So here we were, a bunch of idiots in the dark drinking fruit punch and someone had the bright idea to bring a ouija board (it was Halloween, after all). I know this story’s going to sound like something from a slumber party or a sub-par/super-cliched Goosebumps story, but I assure you it’s all true…
We took turns playing with the ouija board and contacted the spirit Ted (he spelled out his name – haha). This was after a lot of “Are you moving it? You’re moving it aren’t you?” We all sat around the board and someone asked “If you’re really here, give us a sign.” Just then, the two people on the board slid the pointer off the side of the board and the theater lights flickered on and back off. Coincidence? Sure, but it spooked us all pretty well.
On one fateful night, I was working Saturday evening and didn’t feel well. I remember a friend of mine came in to see Iron Eagle 2 (so he was the one) and the new, big movie of the week was U2 Rattle and Hum. I wasn’t feeling well. As the evening went on, I just got worse and worse, and my shift didn’t end until 1:00 am. Turns out my appendix burst. I was in the hospital the next day and was there for over a week. After I got home, I called the theater and sadly resigned. It was a tough call, but I was also in my senior year of high school and getting ready to go off to college.
That said, it’s yet another theater casualty of my youth. I need to check out that building sometime and see if there are any remnants left.
Opened on August 2, 1985 under Consolidated Theatres.
Speaking of Steven Spielburg’s THE GOONIES it was the only theatre in the state and the only Charlotte cinema that presented it in 70MM-6 Track Dobly Stereo. Ad for August 2,1985
I have found the original ads for the opening of the University Place 6. If you need to see them,please e-mail me at
I have the original ads from the grand opening that was advertise in the Charlotte Observer on August 2,1985. The grand opening attractions for the opening of the University Place 6 were
1-“Follow The Bird”
2-“The Emerald Forest”
3-“Prizzi’s Honor”
4-“The Goonies”-Charlotte’s only presentation in 70MM
5-“Fright Night”
6-“Weird Science”
The Coming Attractions?
“Back To The Future”
“Big Top Pee Wee”
This was known as the UNIVERSITY PLACE CINEMA 6 that opened under Charlotte-based Consolidated Theatres on August 2,1985. Carmike Cinemas acquired this theatre in 1990 after it bought out Consolidated Theatres. Carmike reduced it to a discount dollar house when it closed in 1998.
Judging from Google Earth — it looks like the building that WAS at this address was torn down and something new put in its place. Does the shell of the building still stand?
I remember this theater advertising in the Charlotte Observer as the University Place Cinemas (pre-Carmike) and University Place 6 (Carmike). The theater was owned prior to Carmike by Consolidated Theatres (1987-1989). Before 1987 the University Place was co-owned with the Queen Park and Tryon Mall Cinemas.
Yes,very limited parking.
Saw HOME ALONE here and the crowd had a blast. That movie came outta nowhere that Christmas Season and just blew the box office doors down.
Nice theatre over all, but I just remember that it was placed in a real tight spot in the middle of a very busy shopping center, and that parking was a nightmare and a half, and just getting into the shopping center was also a pain. This was before the whole area was developed into retail hell.
I have some in front of the screen if Nick wants to put them on.Funny thing,when we took pictures we always got in the picture.We never thought anyone else even cared about closed theatres,had we known so,maybe we would have kept our ugly mugs out of the shot.LOL.
Thanks for posting Nick.
Mike & Nick exploring the closed University 6 in the hall by the booth and concessions:
View link
I SAW the Jet UaGirl wrote about in the intro.Think i even took a picture.That was a nice section of Charlotte in those days.
You go Dawg!!
You said it all CARMIKE.no business in a large city.
Got to visit the UNIVERSITY 6 Cinemas after it was gutted.Back Exit door was open and I went in with Nick to Explore.Nothing really to see.took a few pictures and left. As mentioned above,, in a beautiful location for Charlotte.
University Place was owned and operated by Carmike Cinemas. Carmike also operated other theatres in the Charlotte area: The Capri and Town and Country Cinemas.
University Place was never operated under General Cinema Theatres.
General Cinema Theatres owned and operated:
Charlottetowne Mall Cinemas I-II-III-IV
Eastland Mall Cinemas I-II-III
Southpark Mall Cinemas I-II-III(aka Southpark Mall Cinemas 1 & 2)
Tower Place Cinemas Eight
University Place was never operated by General Cinemas.
This theater opened in April ‘86.