College Park theater closes

August 10, 2009
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AMC popcornThe AMC Loews College Park 14 movie theater has closed after a 25-year run at West 86th Street and Michigan Road. The outdated theater in the Walmart-anchored complex couldn't compete with Showplace 12 at Traders Point, which opened a few years ago 2.5 miles west on 86th Street at I-465. The old theater, built in 1984 at 3535 W. 86th St., is a 5-minute drive from the Traders Point theater and a 15-minute drive from the new AMC Castleton Square 14, which replaced the AMC Clearwater Crossing 12 in 2007. AMC also operates a 14-screen theater at Greenwood Park Mall. What's your favorite local theater?
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  • indyfanAugust 10, 2009 10:17 AM
    Oh sad that was my theater of choice in middle school...although I haven't been there in years. Kerasotes at Glendale is now my theater of choice, mainly because of the 5 buck club
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  • MikeWAugust 10, 2009 10:19 AM
    I enjoy the Glendale location as well, but I tend to still go downtown to Circle Center. Something about watching the movie downtown in the mall, makes it more enjoyable. Even though they do need a remodel-upgrade in those theatres.
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  • DRTAugust 10, 2009 10:20 AM
    I had my first date ever at this theatre! Although I'm not sorry to see it go. This thing has been outdated for at least 10 years. It doesn't have stadium seating let alone a myriad of other features the all the new theatres have.
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  • CrystalAugust 10, 2009 10:25 AM
    I go to Glendale, Circle Center, Castleton, Greenwood and Landmark Keystone Arts. I probably go to Glendale and Circle Center the most though.
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  • IvoAugust 10, 2009 10:35 AM
    Creative Destruction strikes again...

    Corey,

    Is that a Sandor owned center? I hope so. I know they'll do a nice job redeveloping it.

    Instead of talking about where everyone likes to go to the movies how about a healthy debate on the next use for that location!?

    Ok Fine... I'll start.

    This is probably crazy talk but what about an extension of the mfamily behind the building? Developer could connect the uses adding more walkability and residents to the area. Throw in some resturaunt pads and call it a day? Probably pie in the sky but just a thought!

    At least I didn't go on about how much I love my 5 buck club membership! I really do though!
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  • BLOGojevichAugust 10, 2009 11:45 AM
    Applebees or a Pier One...
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  • thundermuttAugust 10, 2009 12:01 PM
    I'll beat Da Hooey to it: Don's Guns or IKEA.

    Now I'll pretend to be Clarke Kahlo: a park.

    Now I'll pretend to work for HLFI: could be historically significant if enough first dates happened there.

    And the reality is...probably Walgreens, CVS, fast food or fast casual.
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  • DRTAugust 10, 2009 12:51 PM
    I vote for all of the above. This could be a one stop shop! Think BIG!
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  • AndrewAugust 10, 2009 1:38 PM
    Look to what they did to the old Norgate theater as a possibilty. It will become a multi tenant building.
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  • roberthAugust 10, 2009 1:50 PM
    It would be nice for WalMart to build a new super store at this location. The existing one is pretty much a dump. A new more upscale WalMart like the ones in Avon or Greenwood would be perfect. That definitely help that area along Michigan Rd which has several abandon restaurant buildings presently.
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  • SE-GuyAugust 10, 2009 2:04 PM
    That would be a great location for a Food Coop.
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  • JoyceAugust 10, 2009 2:06 PM
    I saw Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Willow at College Park. I'm a southsider, so that's all the history I have there. I love Showplace 16 at Southern Plaza.
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  • SandyAugust 10, 2009 3:13 PM
    It is a Sandor Development Property. The hope is for it to be leased by a second-run cheap ticket theater, though its still just a hope to date.
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  • knowitallAugust 10, 2009 3:47 PM
    I live right near that AMC and I had no idea it was still open! I thought it had closed a year ago. I guess I never go in to the Wal Mart strip so I never noticed. Now I'm worried that Wal Mart will vacate this location to build a super center north on Michigan at 106th. That would really hurt retail around 86th street.

    Also, if this theater was converted into a second run theater, I'd be more inclined to go. If it is a new movie I'd rather get a decent theater experience for my expensive ticket, so I usually go to Landmark at the Fashion Mall or Kerasotes at Trader's Point.
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  • GregAugust 10, 2009 4:59 PM
    I don't know if it'll hurt retail, but rather a reflection how how retail is going in that area.

    As lafayette and 56th~ you'll see a nicer area for residents to shop at night.

    The 86th and michigan area is dominated during the day for lunch hours, but everyone goes home and it's completely quiet at night in that area. So, really what does well @ 86th and Michigan is daytime oriented shops and restaurants. You typically won't see theaters be popular during those hours.
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  • thundermuttAugust 10, 2009 5:58 PM
    se guy, I almost wrote Kroger. That's sort of like a food coop, isn't it?
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  • TammyAugust 11, 2009 8:37 AM
    My favorite theater is Landmark in the Fashion Mall. Lots of indie films and of course, the lounge nearby where you can get buckets o' beer or bottles of wine to take into the movie.
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  • SE-GuyAugust 11, 2009 9:47 AM
    TM

    If you own stock in Kroger, it sure is. I own Target, so I like shopping there.
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  • CrystalAugust 11, 2009 11:16 AM
    A second run theatre may work if they do it similiar to the one on washington street and the one in greenwood. I think its called Cinemark.
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  • CorrNDAugust 11, 2009 11:58 AM
    Agreed, a second run theater could work well there.

    Strange that there are no first-run Cinemark theaters (usually called Tinseltown) around here. They're the second-largest theater chain in the country.
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  • crossedwiresAugust 11, 2009 2:06 PM
    Try going to a Cinemark and see if you still want one. There is no upkeep whatsoever. The Loews is probably in better condition than the 2 Cinemarks. For movies, my money is on locally owned Legacy Cinema in Greenfield. Only 10 minutes farther for me to drive and on average 2-3$ cheaper than chain theaters.
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  • TeresaAugust 11, 2009 2:13 PM
    The hope is for it to be leased by a second-run cheap ticket theater, though its still just a hope to date.
    Georgetown 14 beat everyone to it.
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  • CrystalAugust 11, 2009 2:22 PM
    Although that was kind of weird that AMC would not want a westside location even if they had moved north a ways.
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  • American DirtAugust 11, 2009 4:19 PM
    It would be interesting if this spot were upgraded to a bargain moviehouse. I've never seen one as large as 14 screens that exclusively shows second-run films. I would agree wholeheartedly with crossedwires that the 2 Cinemark locations are total dumps. They were kitschy and fun when they first opened almost twenty years ago, but the last time I was in one 6 or 7 years ago, about 10% of the chairs were broken. Everything was in horrible condition, and the projection quality was bad as well. Not sure how that would be with digital projection these days, or even if the second-run houses actually use digital.

    Does the theatre in Georgetown by Lafayette Square show exclusively second-run? Does anyone know? I thought a significant portion of the films there were first-run Bollywood pics.
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  • City DoofusAugust 11, 2009 5:32 PM
    Why not one of these?

    http://www.ipic.com/TheaterBayshore.html
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  • CorrNDAugust 11, 2009 6:05 PM
    There's already a restaurant/movie theater right down the street, Greenbriar Cinema Grill:

    http://movies.yahoo.com/showtimes-tickets/theaters/1686-greenbriar-cinema-grill/

    Granted, I wasn't very impressed the couple times I went to Greenbriar.....
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  • MarkAugust 12, 2009 10:24 AM
    Actually the Cinemark on the eastside has been spruced up some. The chairs have been replaced in some if not all the the screening rooms, The concession stand has been cleaned up with new menu items and the bathrooms have had tile repaired or replaced.

    With movies at only $1 all day on Tuesdays and $1.75 all other times, it can't be beat. Saw Star Trek and Terminator: Salvation both last evening for $2.

    For people who don't mind waiting a couple of months for the movie to move to second tier theater, its definitely a money saver.
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  • CrystalAugust 12, 2009 1:34 PM
    American Dirt:
    Georgetown 14 does not do second run films only first run films although they do hold them over longer than most of the other theatres.
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  • CrystalAugust 12, 2009 3:20 PM
    American Dirt:
    They may have changed their format recently though I have not been there in over a year.
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  • JoshAugust 12, 2009 4:39 PM
    Landfill. We should rebuild the SW side. It's more interesting.
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  • DaveAugust 13, 2009 9:39 AM
    I hadn't been there since AMC stopped listing showtimes in the Star. I won't miss it.
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  • SteveAugust 13, 2009 1:13 PM
    I always go to the AMC at the Castleton Mall because in my opinion has the better quality screen and the seats are very comfortable.
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  • KathyAugust 14, 2009 2:09 PM
    Joyce... I agree with you. I live closer to Greenwood but I love Show Place 16 behind Southern Plaza. The only problem with it is if the movie is boring I fall asleep in those comfortable chairs. And the IMAX is wonderful. I wish they would have built it down in Greenwood and built the AMC where the showplace is. There's more places to eat down here so it would be more convienient to go to dinner and then a movie.
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  • College Park 14
    EricApril 24, 2010 1:32 PM
    Indianapolis what would you pay for a movie at this Cinema if it was still open and refurbished and would you like to see it as a First and Second Run films here what would be the most you would pay for a First Run film in an auditorium that was refurbished and what would you pay for a film with second run in a not so refurbished auditorium but enough to feel new again... what features besides stadium seating, digital projection, and Concessions would you like to be added or incorporated
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