Regal Cinema fans are in disbelief after the announcement that this major AMC rival is closing a cherished theater. Loyal moviegoers expressed their sadness, writing, "You will be missed" upon seeing a poignant goodbye note at a Regal Cinema in West Virginia.
The beloved Regal Cinema 13 in Greenbrier, a staple for movie lovers, has closed after nearly three decades. In a touching farewell, the theater displayed a single, moving word on its marquee: "Goodbye."
Regal Cinema 13 Bids Farewell in Greenbrier After 30 Years
As reported by The Virginian-Pilot, this 13-screen cinema, part of the British-owned Cineworld chain, hosted its final movie showing on January 12. Situated opposite the Greenbrier Mall in Chesapeake, Regal Cinema 13 has been an integral part of the community since its opening in 1995.
Initially slated to close early last year, the theater received a reprieve. This extension allowed it to remain open for an additional 11 months, but it closed its doors just last week.
According to The Virginian-Pilot, Regal Cinema and its parent company, Cineworld, have grappled with decreased movie attendance, a disrupted film release schedule, and the growing popularity of at-home entertainment.
This led Cineworld, a competitor of AMC, to file for bankruptcy in September 2022.
Cineworld later announced the closure of numerous locations as part of its bankruptcy proceedings. The U.S. Sun compiled a list of 39 affected sites last year to inform fans.
The movie theater industry has been struggling to bounce back from the impact of COVID-19, which drastically reduced in-person attendance in 2020 and boosted the demand for streaming services, as reported by Business Insider.
In 2022, the North American box office revenue was $7.4 billion, a significant drop from over $11 billion in 2019 and 2018. Factors like rising rent and property costs have increased expenses, making maintaining large venues with extensive screening rooms challenging.
Regal Cinema is just one example of several chains that have had to shut down multiple locations in the post-pandemic era.
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Local Residents Remember Regal Cinema with Nostalgia and Sadness
"It's like losing a piece of our history, and it's truly heartbreaking," shared Arrington Gavin, a lifelong Chesapeake resident and business owner, as he reflected on the closure of the Regal Cinema.
Like many others who frequented the theater, Gavin treasures the memories created there. "My first date with my wife was here," he recalled fondly. Despite his wife's dislike for scary movies, Gavin's plan for their first date was to watch one, hoping it would bring them closer.
"It turned out to be a beautiful night," he said, reminiscing about how the date led to their first kiss.
Kevin Warnecke, another local, expressed a mix of emotions. While not shocked by the theater's closure, noting that "the theaters were always empty," he couldn't hide his sentimentality. "This place was a big part of our childhood, especially for those my age, around 23. We grew up here when it was the place to be," Warnecke said.
He added with a hint of sadness, "I'm going to miss it. I saw this day coming, but it's still sad to see it go. There were so many memories of hanging out here with friends."
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