Dover, Delaware, will soon lose its only AMC movie theater, leaving local movie fans nowhere to go for big-screen films. The theater is set to close on March 17, a move that has disappointed many in the community.
Dover's Only Cinema Shuts Down, Residents Upset
"I like to come to the movies and get away from everything and forget about my problems," Dover resident Kerry Hayes told CBS affiliate WBOC. Hayes expressed how the local AMC theater offered an escape from daily life.
Hayes also suggested that the theater's management should have tried harder to attract moviegoers, saying, "They should think of something, like bring something to the table to make people want to come in."
Dover, the capital and second-largest city in Delaware is feeling the impact of its only movie theater closing down. This move affects many in the community who have relied on the theater since it opened in 2017. Despite being a relatively new addition to Dover, the theater's closure will force residents to look elsewhere for their movie outings.
For those in Dover who want to watch movies on the big screen, the nearest options will now be Milford or Middletown, both about 30 minutes away. This change means longer drives for movie fans seeking the cinema experience.
Frank Lira Carrillo and his family planned to watch "Guardians of the Galaxy" at an AMC theater in Apple Valley, California, but they unexpectedly found it closed. Shocked and standing in the cold, they were offered a refund, but the experience soured.
They ended up at another cinema in Hesperia, missing the togetherness they sought and lamenting the $106 spent. Besides disrupting their plans, the closure echoed a wider sentiment in the community, where some anticipated the theater's downfall months ahead, marking a significant loss for local moviegoers.
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Dover's AMC Cinema Closes Amid Economic Strain
Cassie Nichols, a company spokesperson, confirms that the AMC Classic Dover 14 theater, located at the Dover Mall, will soon close.
Nichols announced, "After the final show on Sunday, March 17, 2024, AMC will end its operations at Dover 14." She explained that AMC regularly evaluates its theaters and seeks new opportunities to ensure the company's growth. "We're grateful for the support from our guests and the Dover community over the years," Nichols added.
Located near the food court, the AMC theater has been a popular spot for moviegoers at the Dover Mall. However, Nichols did not provide information regarding the number of employees affected by the closure.
The Dover AMC theater, a staple for local moviegoers, has joined the list of cinemas nationwide shutting down due to economic challenges.
Originally opened by Fox Theatres in December 1983, the Dover Mall cinema changed hands to Carmike in 1996. In 1999, it expanded from six to 14 screens, just before the Carmike cinemas at Rodney Square closed. AMC took over the operation of the theaters in 2017 from Carmike.
With the closure of the Dover location, movie enthusiasts in Central Delaware will now look towards theaters in Milford and Middletown for their cinematic experiences.
The Dover Mall has not provided any comments regarding the theater's closure.
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