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Poor sales force Carmike Cinemas, already hurting financially, to shut down the movie houses.
By MICHAEL SANDLER
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 17, 2000
CARROLLWOOD -- For many moviegoers, tonightwill be the last night to catch a flick for a buck at two of North Tampa's discount cinemas.
Main Street 6 in Carrollwood and University 6 on E Fowler Avenue will be closed for good on Friday, a spokesperson for Carmike Cinemas said.
Carmike, the nation's third-largest theater chain, filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in U.S. Bankruptcy Court last week.
Both theaters charged patrons $1 admission to watch recent films released in a second run.
"Theater operations have not met expectations," said Suzanne Brown. "It is in the best interest of the company to close those two theaters. They were not meeting profitability expectations."
The announcement comes at a time when many smaller theatersstruggle to keep pace with larger, more modern cinemas. Last year Movies at Mission Bell, an eight-theater cinema, and Northdale Court 6 also closed.
The rise of megaplex theaters increased stakes in a business challenged to reinvent an already stimulating product. New theaters now come with 20 or more screens, each equipped with stadium seating and surround sound. Refreshment stands no longer rely solely on popcorn and Junior Mints but offer an extensive line of sweets and snacks, including gourmet coffees and jelly beans.
Tickets generally cost between $6 and $8.
Carmike, based in Columbus, Ga., purchased both theaters, each with six screens, in 1995. It still operates Hillsborough West in Tampa, Lake Walden Cinema 8 in Plant City and the Main Street 5 in Clearwater.
Overall, the company had 458 theaters with 2,848 screens in 36 states in 1999, according to its Web site.
Brown would not say whether the theater employees would be transferred to other theaters but simply stated that efforts would be made to help employees relocate.
At the Main Street 6 on N Dale Mabry, local patrons and employees were sad to see a local haunt shut down.
"Our friends are not going to have a job soon, and we won't have anywhere to hang out," said Rachel O'Connor, 16.
On Wednesday, she and Kristin Davenport sat in front of the theater watching viewers purchase matinee tickets.
Lambert Cox and Michele Marion were on their way to see the Woody Allen film Small Time Crooks. They said they do not mind the larger theaters, just the price of admission.
"It's much more expensive," Cox said. "I go myself and spend 11 or 12 bucks. Not that I am trying to be cheap, but I work hard for my money."
- Times researcher John Martin contributed to this report. Michael Sandler can be reached at (813) 226-3472 or sandler@sptimes.com.