Cinema 1 & 2
306 W. University Drive,
Macomb,
IL
61455
306 W. University Drive,
Macomb,
IL
61455
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Carmike Cinemas, Carrol's Development Corporation, Dubinsky Brothers, Excellence Theatres
Previous Names: Carrolls Cinema Twin 1 & 2
Nearby Theaters
This was a long-running twin-screen theatre near the campus of Western Illinois University. It was originally built and operated by Carrol’s Development, opening on October 27, 1971. They soon passed it on to Dubinsky Brothers. On December 1, 1989 they sold it to the Excellence Theatres chain out of Chicago. In September 1991 Excellence Theatres were taken over by Carmike Cinemas. They closed it on May 28, 2009. It was last operated by an independent operator. The Cinema 1 & 2 provided competition to the Kerasotes chain which had the other operating Macomb theatres in the 1970’s and into the 21st Century.
It was demolished in early-April 2015.
Contributed by
ddallasmovietheaters
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Recent comments (view all 3 comments)
Filling in a little bit… Dubinsky sold a group of theatres to Excellence Theatres of Chicago in 1989 that included the Cinema 1 & 2. Carmike Cinemas took over all one hundred of Excellence Theatres' leases in a joint operating agreement in 1991. The Cinema operated primarily as a Carmike Cinemas property until its initial closure. It was relit briefly as an independent prior to closure and demolition.
The building was demolished either in 2015 and 2016. However, it was completely unknown if the Cinema 1 & 2 closed around the same time as the opening of the nearby six-screen Rialto.
Filling in a bit further then:
Carrols Development built this on the north end of Macomb near Western Illinois in 1971. The 604-seat venue was automated launching on October 27, 1971 following an open house the previous day. Orange rocking chair seats were an upgrade over the aging downtown Macomb Theatres run by Kerasotes.
Dubinksy Brothers took over the cinema in fairly short order. Excellence took over when it bought out Dubinksy Bros. effective on December 1, 1989. In 1991, Carmike and Excellence created a joint operating agreement in February and, that same year, essentially buying out the Excellence side by September. This moved the Cinema Twin to Carmike ownership.
Carmike closed the Cinema 1 & 2 on May 28, 2009 at the expiry of Excellence’s 20-year lease. The Rialto opened on East Jackson Street on June 18, 2009 and was operated by the same manager, Larry Jarvis, but a new company. To answer the query above, the Cinema 1 & 2 was relit for overflow screenings and special purpose WIU-curated titles which the new operator didn’t want to run in the 6-plex. With no leasing obligation and everything still working (at least the analog equipment), it was a short-lived attempt to draw WIU students who were within walking distance of the venue. That didn’t spark much enthusiasm, so it closed once again - this time permanently.
The University took over the spot and had the venue demolished in early April of 2015 (beginning April 3d). Pictures of the demolition can be found in photos.
Hope that helps ya.