Will Rogers shuts down
Will Rogers Theatre, located at 705 Monroe Ave., will no longer be pressing play after Sunday’s closing.
The theatre, which opened during the 1930s, announced its closing through a sign posted on the ticket counter.
AMC Theaters, Inc. bought out the formally owned Kerasotes Showplace Theatre, along with Showplace 10 in Mattoon in May 2010. Kerasotes owned 95 theaters located primarily in the Midwest, but after AMC took over, Kerasotes only retained and operated three of them.
Plans to transition the theaters into AMC’s operations included changing over the signage, uniforms, and concession stand choices.
During this time, AMC’s director of public relations, Justin Scott said he was not sure when the digital conversion would take place at the Will Rogers Theatre, or if a 3-D movie venue would be offered at all.
Neither upgrade was given to the 72-year-old theatre.
Recently, the theater had been losing financial stability because of other multi-screen movie complexes, popular Redbox DVD rentals and easy-access Internet downloads.
Scott Smith, Charleston city manager, said AMC representatives in advance of Sunday’s closing did not contact city officials.
Smith also assumes that the theatre closing was due to financial decisions.
“I think it’s very unfortunate that AMC has closed the Will Rogers Theatre. This has been a staple in downtown Charleston for many, many years,” said Smith.
The theatre is attached to a row of several vacant businesses that surrounds the courthouse square.
AMC officials have still yet to comment regarding the closing.
