Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Declining attendance in the post-COVID world has prompted AMC Entertainment to close the Market Arcade 8 movie theater on Dec. 31.
The closing marks another economic blow to a struggling Downtown Buffalo, which has seen a drop in daily office workers, empty storefronts and rising levels of commercial space.
"Honestly, I think the cinemas are a victim of a national decline and trend," said Michael Schmand, Buffalo Place Inc. executive director. "It is not a reflection of downtown."
The closing comes at a time when there has been a renewed effort to aid the Theatre District by increased productions at Shea's Performing Arts Center, the Shea's 710 Theater and more concert bookings at the Town Ballroom.
"It's a shame," said Steve Carmina, Buffalo Place Inc. chairman.
The eight-screen complex opened in 1987 as part of former Mayor Jimmy Griffin's concerted downtown revitalization effort.
Boston-based General Cinema Corp. operated the theaters from 1987 until 1998 when the Angelika Film Center took over the theaters.
The locally-owned Dipson Theatres, in partnership with the not-for-profit Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre ran the complex from 2000 until 2014 before the Benchmark Group took over the building and put a handsome lease package together for AMC.
Officials said they are working on securing another movie operator for the theaters.