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Curtains close for Showcase Cinemas at ailing mall

Officials cite steady decline in attendance

Showcase Cinemas, shown with its movie listings blank on a sign Tuesday, March 2, outside Cincinnati Mall, closed Sunday, Feb. 28, because of a lack of business. The theater opened Dec. 21, 2001, at the mall that is now 50 percent vacant.

Staff photo by Nick Daggy Showcase Cinemas, shown with its movie listings blank on a sign Tuesday, March 2, outside Cincinnati Mall, closed Sunday, Feb. 28, because of a lack of business. The theater opened Dec. 21, 2001, at the mall that is now 50 percent vacant.

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By Michael D. Pitman, Staff Writer Updated 12:47 PM Wednesday, March 3, 2010

FAIRFIELD — After a little more than an eight-year run, Showcase Cinemas at Cincinnati Mall has closed.

Company officials said a lack of business was the reason the movie theater closed for good on Sunday, Feb. 28. Showcase Cinemas is owned by National Amusements, which is based in Dedham, Mass.

“The attendance at this location has declined steadily over the past several years,” said company spokeswoman Tracy King.

She said the decision to close the theater, which showed first-run movies, was made in January. The company elected not to renew its lease with Cincinnati Mall, King said.

The cinema opened on Dec. 21, 2001.

Neither the Cincinnati Mall general manager nor a representative with ownership group North Carolina-based Whichard Real Estate could be reached for comment Tuesday, March 2.

Showcase Cinemas is the latest national chain to vacate the struggling Cincinnati Mall that straddles Forest Park and Fairfield. The mall, which is currently about 50 percent occupied, a few years ago lost the grocery store chain bigg’s.

The theater was located on the mall’s upper level by the garage entrance. It competed against Danbarry Dollar Saver Cinemas, which is on the lower level by the food court.

Showcase Cinemas has several area locations. The closest are on Ohio 4 in Springdale and on Kings Island Drive in Mason.

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