ArcLight Cinemas at Westfield Montgomery Mall, closed since the pandemic-related shutdown of movie theaters was ordered last year, will not reopen. The permanent closure was announced in a statement by the cineplex's parent company, Decurion Corporation. This is devastating news for the future of Montgomery Mall, where the third-floor luxury cineplex was the keystone of a nearly-$100 million expansion of the retail center by Westfield over the last decade.
Montgomery Mall is in new hands after a corporate merger, and the new parent company does not share Westfield's dedication to the survival of its malls. In fact, the new company plans to sell the mall and others it owns across the country next year.
The future of the ArcLight space at the mall is unclear. Deadline reports that Decurion has "handed the keys to the landord" at all of its cineplex locations. A new theater operator could be brought in, the theater could be demolished and renovated for more retail and restaurant space, or the cineplex could sit abandoned until the mall is demolished for redevelopment in the future.
Sometimes the news just sucks. Just what the area needs: bulldoze *another* mall complex in favor of more high density development to overwhelm the roads, schools, and sewerage.
ReplyDeleteI guess this was inevitable, but this is just another nail in Montgomery Mall's coffin and it's accelerating the process. The only way to "save" it is to take the Pike & Rose approach and build it into an all-new town center with all the essentials: Housing, Supermarket(s), Gym(s), Shopping, Dining, Entertainment and ease of transit/parking for commuting/visiting. It's just going to continue to deteriorate until someone realizes this and comes in with the necessary capital. IF the Lerner's hadn't gotten so burned on their White Flint plans by Lord & Taylor, perhaps they'd be up for this. The fact that it's not near Metro is a real drawback though.
ReplyDeleteThe County is to blame on this one. They finally allowed theaters to reopen, but not to sell any food or drink. Theaters make most of their profits from food/bev sales (most of the ticket fee is to license the movie).
ReplyDeleteIsn’t this a national closure?
DeleteThe county is to blame for a national chain going under? Did you think that one through, 7:20?
DeleteYikes! But somehow quite understandable. How they managed to hang on for over a year without customers is remarkable. On the bright side for downtown Bethesda, this could mean more patrons at the Bethesda Row Cinema if they can survive and reopen soon enough. Maybe they will screen more mainstream movies as well.
ReplyDeleteI still contend that with 4K and 8K, Dolby Vision Dolby Sound and affordable large TV’s and sound bars, and a wealth of streaming services, there is less compelling reasons to go out to a movie. Sure it’s fun to see a great movie on a big screen, but the home experience has vastly improved in recent years, not to mention the rising cost of going out to see a movie. $26 for a luxury seat at Silverlight, when for $26 you can own a 4K Blu-Ray of the film, or stream it for a few bucks.
As long as WFH is with us, VFH (view from home) will likely prevail.
7:20 AM You are so far off he mark it's hysterical. "The County is to blame on this one." Did you not read the part that says ArcLight is closing the entire chain? This is due to the pandemic, not the ban on food and drink sales imposed by MoCo government. You have a one track anti-county government mind, or a damn the torpedo boats, full speed ahead mentality.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me ultra sad because my boyfriend and I had our first date at the Arclight three years ago and saw several movies there since. (We also enjoyed some movies at the dearly departed AMC Mazza Gallerie, RIP.) But, nationwide the theater industry has really taken a beating. Still hate to see it go, it was pricey but a nice place for an evening out.
ReplyDelete7:20AM - the chain is closing nationally
ReplyDeleteWhat you mean by until the mall is demolished ?
ReplyDelete6:12 I think you're catastrophizing.
ReplyDelete