By Quinn Kropschot
Staff Writer
The Pacific Manhattan Village Theater takes its last bow as was shut down due to increased local competition. The Manhattan Village Theater’s proprietors decided to permanently close its doors on May 28.
The Pacific Manhattan Village Theater has been a place for locals to gather and watch films for nearly 30 years. When Pacific Theaters informed the Village Mall of the closing, the Manhattan Village Mall tried to persuade the theater to stay open.
“We worked hard to keep the theater open, but this was ultimately a business decision for Pacific Theatres,” general manager of the Manhattan Village Mall Ruth Tewalt said.
When the Arclight Theater, a luxury theater division owned by Pacific Theaters, opened in El Segundo, the competition increased between the Pacific Manhattan Village Theater and its larger chain, according to Tewalt.
“Ever since Arclight opened it has become my new favorite movie theater,” freshman Dana Sheckter said. “I go there whenever a new movie comes out because I do not want to wait three weeks until the Pacific Manhattan Village Theater has the movie.”
Five years ago, the Manhattan Village Mall began the planning of a new renovation project. The mall was aware that the Village Theater was competing against larger luxury cinemas, which would eventually force the Village Theater to close. However, the Manhattan Village Mall does not have any plans to replace the current theater.
“It is unlikely that another theater will go into that space,” Tewalt said. “However, our leasing team is working on potential options for that location for the short term.”
According to Mira Costa students, the inexpensive prices of the theater, the intimate environment, the convenient location and the smaller audiences of the Pacific Manhattan Village Theater will be missed.
“I am really disappointed that the theater is closing,” freshman Trace Demarest said. “But I am looking forward to seeing what the Village Mall has planned for the redevelopment in the future.”
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