Rave Closing Conant Sreet Cinemas

Well, now we go to the movies at Westfield and take in a fight or two besides.

Another giant eye sore.

Another vacant lot

It will be great for skateboarders for the next couple of years. No cars to get in the way.

That royally sucks! That's my favorite theater next to the one at Fallen Timbers.

The big thing though is that this is the ONLY theater in Toledo that shows 3d flicks, and they also have non-standard movies. Like their horror fest in October and the digital streaming of various shows and concerts.

I truly hope even if they close they will migrate those to other theaters.

That sucks! It's always busy, and such a great place!

INeedCoffee, i've seen several 3D movies at westfield.

This is sad because Rave took over operations from National Amusements just a few months ago and they are already doing something unpopular. I think the out-of-town owners are under-estimating the local market. They are probably looking at geography and the bottom line and not considering local factors and that the economy will eventually turn around. I mean the building is only 13 years old. The cinemas on Secor were open for 30 years.

This will leave a large part of town that's well-populated without a local cinema. Will the people of South Toledo or Holland/Springfield want to drive 10 miles to Franklin Park or Fallen Timbers?

If anything, I think it could finally open the door for a competitor to (re)enter the market. Hey, AMC... here's your chance!

i suspect this will do wonders for fallen timbers. it's really not that bad of a drive if you were already heading to maumee for a movie

What a shame. That place is less than 15 years old. I recall it opened sometime between 1996 and 1998. We don't go out to movies much, but when we do, that's where we go.

It is a big boost, however, for Levis Commons....Easier to catch a show and dine and drink

Sad for the area. Folks are right--it'll become an empty eyesore for years.

Of course, I loved that location when it was a drive-in too. The first time I saw "Star Wars", it was with my parents sitting next to our 1974 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme.

I read about this too. My thing is, why did National Amusement put in a theater at Fallen Timbers? It is a shame that they will be leaving, and another empty building to the Toledo area.

There are 3D movies at Westfield. I also went to the "B" horror movies at Maumee when they were showing them. It was a blast!

Didn't know about Westfield offering the 3d movies. That's kinda nice but to be honest I don't go there anymore. This has been discussed on various threads. Had an bad experience there, didn't go back for a long time. People on TT recommended trying it out one more time and it wasn't 1 day later they had the gangs fights there.

Wonder what it would take to keep it open.

draven: I went too and it was awesome. Was nice getting to see the original Little Shop of Horrors on the big screen :)

http://www.attackofthebmovies.com/

I went on the first year it started. We watched some hilarious swamp monster thing, and a Japanese movie. It was like our own Mystery Science Theater 3000!

Coffee, I dont know what problems you had at Westfield but thats where we go all the time. I guess you just have to go when there will not be a big crowd? I prefer to go when there is hardly anyone in the theater, and where noone will sit near me...but thats just me!

This is surprising. Not my first choice to see amovie due to location, but when I have went it always seemed to be doing good business.
Local politicos need to start getting creative and get businesses enticed to do something with these empty monsters. Doesn't this make three? Monroe, Secor and now Conant?

And Airport Super Cinemas.

I don't even remember where those were...

Rave is correct the market is over satiurated with movie screens. And the Maumee one makes sense to close, since there are two newer theaters near by. As for the 3d screens, Rave is committed to increasing the 3d Screens in all their theaters.

Unfortunately this is what happens with the Toledo area allows a single operator control the market. AMC would be a logical addition to break into the market, especially when they have the IMAX contract. However, if a local developer really pushed they could probably line up a Warren Theatre. They are probably the best I've ever been to and have not seen their product duplicated anywhere else. It would also likely destroy the competition since the ticket prices are competitive, the movie product is superior (all digital & THX certified screens), the seating and amenities can't be matched...just an all around superior product.

http://www.warrentheatres.com/index.asp

Newer doesn't always mean better. Maumee is my first choice to see movies. They are well maintained, show first run movies, always busy and the kids have fun in the arcade. Though their concessions are way to expensive so I eat before going. Not sure I will travel to Fallen Timbers.

We went to the Maumee theaters on a Sunday afternoon recently and I was surprised at how dead it was. We live close to Westfield, but made the drive just because the showtime suited us better that day.

I've never had a problem at the Westfield theaters, but when we go, we park on the upper deck of the parking garage, see our movie, and then leave. I avoid that whole food court area.

If Fantastic Mr. Fox doesn't play on screens in Toledo, I don't care how many screens there are. I'd prefer to drive to the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor or the Burton Theater in Detroit. But I will miss getting a Village Idiot pizza and sneaking it into the theater on Conant Street.

Regardless, MDC is about to start up their summer series. I'd much rather sit out behind Bozarts and watch a free independent movie than pay overpriced monopoly tickets for the same ole same ole.

I didnt know that about the IMAX and the contract with AMC. I LOVE going to see movies in IMAX, but always have to go to Michigan to see them. My favorite, Henry Ford IMAX in Dearborn, then IMAX in Livonia, and then IMAX in Ann Arbor. I would love to see an IMAX built in Toledo, but I guess thats not going to happen.

I was extremely BUMMED when I heard about this. This should help out Levis and Fallen Timbers. I reufuse to go back to Westfield, I took my family 3 different times and the crowd was rough, loud and ghetto. I can't believe how bad that area is becoming. In ten years Westfield will be the next Southwyck at this rate. I'm all for the outdoor malls, its keeps loitering down.

This would be a great oportunity for another theater like AMC to move into the Toledo market. By adding an IMAX screen and having lower ticket and concession prices they could compete with Rave without any problems.

Why is everyone having problems with Westfield? What time are you guys going? I have not had any problems with them or the people...but maybe because I try to avoid the masses? Just curious.

I tend to go in the day and during the week, simply because I don't like crowds. And because of that I've had no problems, ever.

I'm a fan of the daytime shows. Less crowded and fewer hooligans.

Competition is healthy. AMC's been gone since around the time they built the new Maumee 18. If Rave feels like they have too many screens in the area, the obvious thing would be for another company to take over the Maumee 18. The building is not that old and it's in a good location. Hopefully it doesn't sit vacant for long.

Like Midnite movies, stick with the Sundance Drive-in.

Another sign of the recession. I remember when it first opened, and how excited everyone was to go there. What are they going to do with that big building now?

A big building like that? Are there any "mega-churches" (like Cornerstone) that need a home? That's the only thing I can think of at the moment

Our luck they will build another Walmart or a mega Walgreens.

I went there last night to see the new Shrek movie. It was pretty busy, especially for a week night and had to wait in line at the concession so they are bringing in money.

Asked the manager if it was true, and if there was anyone I could write to.

She just said "They are evaluating the situation".

I wondered about the vague long lead time. 'by the end of summer'? maybe just a ploy to call attention to themselves without having to pay for the privilege? dang, I'm cynical. ;p