The End of an Era: Kerasotes Theatres Close Down in Four Major US Cities, Leaving a Gap in Cinema Options and Raising Questions About the Future of Traditional Cinema

The closure of the remaining four Kerasotes Theatres is a significant development in the exhibition industry. These theaters, located in Chicago (South Loop), St. Louis Park (suburban Minneapolis), Mountain View, California; and San Jose, California (Valley Fair Mall), operated under the ShowPlace Icon brand. This news comes just days after the sale of the Secaucus, New Jersey location to Regal Theaters and the closure of the Boston Seaport District location earlier this year.

The fate of these locations remains uncertain as landlords search for new operators. Despite this closure, Gus Kerasotes, a Greek immigrant who opened the first theater in Springfield, Illinois in 1909 and expanded it by his sons, has confirmed that they are closing immediately. However, Tony Kerasotes has not provided further comment at this time.

The six Kerasotes-operated theaters grossed $31 million in 2023 but did not rank among the top chains in U.S./Canada. The chain’s closure marks the end of a circuit that has been operated by three generations of the Kerasotes family since 1909. It is also a reflection of challenges faced by exhibition industry due to changing consumer preferences and economic conditions.

Kerasotes was known for its focus on premium services under the Showplace brand. The closure of this chain leaves a gap in theater options for cities like Chicago where there are only two remaining theaters with 18 screens serving a population of 1.2 million people on South Side area which may affect their moviegoing habits.

This news is significant not only because it marks an end to a circuit that has been operated by three generations of one family but also as an indication of how quickly things can change in the entertainment industry when faced with competition from new technologies and changing consumer preferences.

In conclusion, while some have celebrated this news as being long overdue, others see it as a sign that traditional cinema is becoming obsolete in today’s digital age where streaming services dominate popular culture consumption habits.

It remains to be seen what impact this closure will have on moviegoers’ behavior and how other chains will adapt to meet their needs moving forward into future years.