For an update on this story, see http://www.dglobe.com/news/3831884-roll-credits-worthington-movie-theate...
WORTHINGTON -- The Northland Cinema 5 in Worthington will close at the end of the month.
West Mall Theatres Inc., owner and operator of the movie theater complex in Worthington, today announced its intention to cease its operation after Sept. 27.
With the Northland Mall demolition project ready to begin, the Cinema 5 will be the final business to go dark in the failed mall.
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“The last few years have been very challenging to keep the doors open,” said Todd Frager, president of West Mall Theatres Inc. “The Cinema 5 was severely affected by the well- known negligence of the previous mall owner. We have had to deal with continuous problems with the mall operation and crippling expenses related to mall maintenance and upkeep that I have never seen or heard of in my 30-plus years in the business.”
West Mall Theatres has operated the Cinema 5 over the last nine years, since Christmas Day of 2007. In 2013, the company invested significant capital in the facility to install all new digital projection systems, but the rest of a planned remodeling project was put on hold due to the Northland Mall’s deteriorating condition and the ongoing problems with the mall’s landlord.
“We would like to thank our movie patrons and theater staff for remarkably supporting the Cinema 5 since 2007 and especially through the last few difficult years,” said David Fetters, vice president of West Mall Theatres Inc.
The company is working with First State Bank Southwest, the City of Worthington, the Worthington Regional Economic Development Corp. and the new owner of the mall property, PBK Investments, to bring a new movie theater location to Worthington in 2016. All options will also be explored to bring movies to town in the interim.
“Everyone is working for the same goal: to bring a new movie theatre with the modern amenities of a full movie experience to Worthington,” said Frager. “Constructing a new location in the city is an ambitious project. When the numbers make sense for all parties involved, we will have a deal.”
The Northland Cinema 5 will continue to operate in in its present location with its regular full schedule of movies through Sept. 27. Updates will be available on the current Cinema 5 website, www.northlandtheatre.com
