Cinema abruptly shuts its doors

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A local attorney said she'd explore ways for independent films to be shown here.

By GUY DASTOLFO

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

AUSTINTOWN — Austintown Cinema abruptly closed over the weekend.

The three-screen theater in Austintown Plaza was operated by Chris Davis, an Akron-based businessman who owns North Coast Theater Service. Davis took over the theater March 1 after the previous owners, Cleveland Cinemas, announced plans to close it.

Under Cleveland Cinemas, the theater exclusively showed independent films, which made it unique in the Mahoning Valley. Davis operated it as a discount theater that screened second-run Hollywood releases as well as independent films.

Davis could not be reached to comment.

A sign posted on the theater's doors Wednesday read: "Due to unfortunate circumstances we are forced to close our doors. This immediate closing was beyond our control."

When Cleveland Cinemas announced it was closing the theater in December, a group was formed by area lawyer Michele McBride to keep the venue open and showing independent films.

Several hundred members

The group, Keep It Reel Inc., picked up several hundred members, many of whom bought memberships that offered free admission to movies. The number of free admissions varied by the price of the membership.

The sign posted on the theater's doors stated that members will be contacted with information about obtaining refunds.

McBride said Wednesday that she will form an advisory committee to again explore ways to keep independent films in the Mahoning Valley.

The closing forced the Youngstown Area Jewish Film Festival to find a new venue. The festival was to show "The Ritchie Boys" at Austintown Cinema today. The screening has been moved to McKay Auditorium in the Beeghly College of Education building at Youngstown State University.

Thursday, September 21, 2006