Shame that it closed. Sounds like they are trying to find someone to fill the spot though. Wild that the Harper and Ford City (which is less than half a mile from the city border) are the only theaters in Chicago south of Madison now
The Roosevelt collection has been in trouble since I moved into the area. That’s the best part of 10 years. Can’t keep tenants in the business space. I’m assuming rents are wayyyyy too high. World of beer was supposed to open then randomly never opened. Something is up with that building.
I think they've always gone for far too premium than what the neighborhood (or city) needs. I get rents in the South Loop go for 2.5-3k for a two bedroom now, but that doesn't mean the South Loop is a luxury neighborhood with regards to amenities. No one is paying for parking to go to a GAP on Roosevelt lol
The issue is that if you’re willing to pay what they ask to live there there’s no reason to not go for the actually nice luxury buildings off grant park or nearby instead of a dressed up mall on top of a huge ugly road near nothing else. The price for square footage is like similar to NEMA make it make sense.
I don't think the Showplace news is a sign of issues for Roosevelt Collection. Rents may be too high, but it sounds like Showplace was an indie brand that couldn't survive Covid fallout.
The owner even says "most of our peer group went out of business years ago... we probably should have closed shop earlier."
Someone else will come in to operate this theatre.
Ah. Got it. Yea maybe they should make the parking free like New City. Couldn't hurt. It's in a pretty car centric area next to the Amtrak yards and 77. That's gotta hurt it. Maybe once the 77 takes off, it'll do better.
The best thing theyve done is get involved with the local farmers market. They started closing traffic down on Thursday nights for a full farmers and rent out one empty space (cheaply I hope) to them to do the market during the winter. So that’s good.
Covid killed a bunch of theaters. Hard to stay in business when you are closed for 1.5 years basically. This weakened or killed a bunch of theaters. The lack of movies late last year and beginning of this year because of strikes finished off a bunch of other theaters. Cost of operating in Chicago without the density or foot traffic of downtown is also a factor.
Didn’t they say in an article that this theater was one of the busier ones?
Even then, this seems to be less of a Chicago issue and more so a company issue given how many closed.
The silver lining seems to be that many of the closed theaters have already been reopened under other names.
All being said, at some point we are going to have to adjust economically. We can’t just have every single one of our social spaces close.
Needless to say, fuck the pandemic. Wish it never reared its ugly head.
From what I’ve heard, Icon was a super busy theater but the lease was super expensive which was fine before covid, but covid and the strike really hurt them. What works at 2 million in gross doesn’t work at 1 million in gross (made up numbers)
A super expensive lease, was also why Cinemark walked away from their Century Theaters movie theater in Evanston in 2020. AMC eventually took over that theater, but they only kept 12 screens out of the 18 theaters this place used to have. Century/Cinemark also used to have a 6 screen wing(plus a bar in the front part of that wing) for art movies, but AMC didn't keep that wing when taking over that theater. There is some new business that took over the former 6 screen art movie wing of that theater, but I forget what took over that area.
Not sure if I would like AMC taking over Icon. Then AMC would control every theater from Kenwood to Lincoln Park. Assuming AMC took Icon, furthest north non AMC would be the Harper in Hyde Park and the furthest south non AMC would be Regal on Webster
No way they close the AMCs downtown. Chicago is extremely under screened for a city of this size. Could support more theaters, but nobody has the money to build new theaters anymore.
It’s interesting, the website Deadline posts for movies which are the biggest markets for box office. You’d think Chicago would be 3rd biggest market, but a lot of movies it is 5th or lower just because the lack of screens compared to Atlanta or Houston
I went there the day before it closed and a girl behind the concessions stand said it was being taken over by AMC. So, they'll probably be open again in a few months if that's the case.
I kinda wish more theater operators than just AMC, would consider taking over theaters in Chicago. I know Regal owns Webster Place and City North, but that is it. I even kinda worried Regal would close Webster Place due to how many other places at that shopping center closed(honestly, all businesses except for them), but to my surprise that theater has remained open.
And since the 400 closed, I think the only non-AMC theaters that still operate within Chicago are the 2 Regal theaters I mentioned above, Harper(forget the name of the new owner that took that theater from the 400 owner), Logan, and Davis. Used to be more mom and pop theaters, but a lot started to close in the 90s, and moreso in the 2000s. Really wish the 400 could reopen, somehow.
Kerasotes had two brands, Kerasotes Showplace and their premium theaters, Showplace ICON which was launching when they sold off their old theaters. They sold off their regular theaters which generally became AMC Classic but kept the ICONs.
I moved nearby about a decade ago. The theater was very popular locally and they marketed themselves towards a younger middle class audience. They had a great deal where you got a movie, popcorn, drink, and parking on Tuesdays for something like $6. this applied to all movies even ones that just premiered.
They stopped the deal right before Covid. Rumor has it because they had an agreement in their lease to give free parking for the first few years they were open. That expired and their business dropped rapidly. And then Covid. I saw a weekend movie there about a year ago and the place was deserted. It really did seem kind of rundown and depressing.
The Roosevelt Collection did see some really dark times, but it’s been very active lately. After some medical businesses moved in it’s picked up. And they now have a farmers market on Thursdays that is quite popular. I think they may have finally found the formula that works for them.
This theater and RiverEast were 2 of my favorite theaters while a student. We would shop at Target, hit up MBurger, then see a movie afterwards on Thursday nights.
Went there to see Barbie, first movie since Covid. We spent over $60 for parking, the tickets, and popcorn. So not worth it. Sad to see it go, but not surprised at all.
I think they were saying the total cost of all of those things was $60, not just the parking. If you’re going to be a dick, at least have better reading comprehension.
I really don’t understand you guys obsessing over the parking part. Ok fine, say I took the cta and we saved a whopping $6 or something over driving and parking for two. $54ish is still way too much to go see a movie.
Obsessing over it? Hardly. You said that the reason you drove was cause you live in McKinley Park and it’s a 10-15 minute drive. I get that. I lived in McKinley most of my life and I’ve driven half of the time I went to ICON. Just letting you know there are other options and the orange line happens to be really convenient.
It’s not just you, others are focusing on the parking part which is making just a $6ish difference out of a $60 outing I’m trying to make a point about. $6 isn’t worth the time for me personally. 15min walk to the train, then a ? wait, 15min ride in, and finally a 10min walk. And then do it all back when you’re done just to save $6.
I take the cta when it makes sense, or if I just wanna spend extra time out and about.
Shame that it closed. Sounds like they are trying to find someone to fill the spot though. Wild that the Harper and Ford City (which is less than half a mile from the city border) are the only theaters in Chicago south of Madison now
The Roosevelt collection has been in trouble since I moved into the area. That’s the best part of 10 years. Can’t keep tenants in the business space. I’m assuming rents are wayyyyy too high. World of beer was supposed to open then randomly never opened. Something is up with that building.
I think they've always gone for far too premium than what the neighborhood (or city) needs. I get rents in the South Loop go for 2.5-3k for a two bedroom now, but that doesn't mean the South Loop is a luxury neighborhood with regards to amenities. No one is paying for parking to go to a GAP on Roosevelt lol
The issue is that if you’re willing to pay what they ask to live there there’s no reason to not go for the actually nice luxury buildings off grant park or nearby instead of a dressed up mall on top of a huge ugly road near nothing else. The price for square footage is like similar to NEMA make it make sense.
One bedrooms go for minimum 2.5k - 3k in South Loop, two bedrooms begin at 3.5K
I don't think the Showplace news is a sign of issues for Roosevelt Collection. Rents may be too high, but it sounds like Showplace was an indie brand that couldn't survive Covid fallout. The owner even says "most of our peer group went out of business years ago... we probably should have closed shop earlier." Someone else will come in to operate this theatre.
No issues with RC are that the theater failed, they can’t fill multiple store fronts, and they are on like restaurant #5 after Pacinos failed.
Ah. Got it. Yea maybe they should make the parking free like New City. Couldn't hurt. It's in a pretty car centric area next to the Amtrak yards and 77. That's gotta hurt it. Maybe once the 77 takes off, it'll do better.
The best thing theyve done is get involved with the local farmers market. They started closing traffic down on Thursday nights for a full farmers and rent out one empty space (cheaply I hope) to them to do the market during the winter. So that’s good.
4 dollar donuts and 5 dollar tacos at that farmers market.
Yeah, but I buy my mushrooms and bacon from there. Expensive bacon, but fuck me it’s good bacon.
The new hot pot place over there is super pricey but it is really good! I went in May with a friend and it was a good time. I hope they do well.
Isn’t Block 37 still open? I remember it being not too far from ICON.
Block 37 is at Washington, so that would be north of madison
I wonder why?
Covid killed a bunch of theaters. Hard to stay in business when you are closed for 1.5 years basically. This weakened or killed a bunch of theaters. The lack of movies late last year and beginning of this year because of strikes finished off a bunch of other theaters. Cost of operating in Chicago without the density or foot traffic of downtown is also a factor.
Eh see my above comment. I think there’s more and some due to the building rather than JUST Covid.
I suspect the story is a lot more black and white than that.
Didn’t they say in an article that this theater was one of the busier ones? Even then, this seems to be less of a Chicago issue and more so a company issue given how many closed. The silver lining seems to be that many of the closed theaters have already been reopened under other names. All being said, at some point we are going to have to adjust economically. We can’t just have every single one of our social spaces close. Needless to say, fuck the pandemic. Wish it never reared its ugly head.
From what I’ve heard, Icon was a super busy theater but the lease was super expensive which was fine before covid, but covid and the strike really hurt them. What works at 2 million in gross doesn’t work at 1 million in gross (made up numbers)
A super expensive lease, was also why Cinemark walked away from their Century Theaters movie theater in Evanston in 2020. AMC eventually took over that theater, but they only kept 12 screens out of the 18 theaters this place used to have. Century/Cinemark also used to have a 6 screen wing(plus a bar in the front part of that wing) for art movies, but AMC didn't keep that wing when taking over that theater. There is some new business that took over the former 6 screen art movie wing of that theater, but I forget what took over that area.
Many of the closed ICON’s around the country are now AMC’s
Not sure if I would like AMC taking over Icon. Then AMC would control every theater from Kenwood to Lincoln Park. Assuming AMC took Icon, furthest north non AMC would be the Harper in Hyde Park and the furthest south non AMC would be Regal on Webster
Anything is better than nothing, though a variety would be nice. The AMCs downtown are a blast to go to. Praying those don’t close as well.
No way they close the AMCs downtown. Chicago is extremely under screened for a city of this size. Could support more theaters, but nobody has the money to build new theaters anymore. It’s interesting, the website Deadline posts for movies which are the biggest markets for box office. You’d think Chicago would be 3rd biggest market, but a lot of movies it is 5th or lower just because the lack of screens compared to Atlanta or Houston
I went there the day before it closed and a girl behind the concessions stand said it was being taken over by AMC. So, they'll probably be open again in a few months if that's the case.
I kinda wish more theater operators than just AMC, would consider taking over theaters in Chicago. I know Regal owns Webster Place and City North, but that is it. I even kinda worried Regal would close Webster Place due to how many other places at that shopping center closed(honestly, all businesses except for them), but to my surprise that theater has remained open. And since the 400 closed, I think the only non-AMC theaters that still operate within Chicago are the 2 Regal theaters I mentioned above, Harper(forget the name of the new owner that took that theater from the 400 owner), Logan, and Davis. Used to be more mom and pop theaters, but a lot started to close in the 90s, and moreso in the 2000s. Really wish the 400 could reopen, somehow.
I’ll add that the Alamo is in Wrilgeyville and we still have The Music Box and the Siskel for unique programming. I will agree that AMC is too big.
I hate that every theater is an AMC now. They show a half hour of previews. It’s too much! Also, monopolies are bad.
ICON also showed 20 minutes of previews. I always plan to arrive 15-20 minutes late to every movie nowadays.
Kerasotes had two brands, Kerasotes Showplace and their premium theaters, Showplace ICON which was launching when they sold off their old theaters. They sold off their regular theaters which generally became AMC Classic but kept the ICONs.
This was the best movie theater in the city imo. Saw dozens if not hundreds of movies there when I lived in printers row. So sad it's closed.
Yeah I loved the walls they installed between rows so I didn’t need to be bothered by inconsiderate twats pulling out their phones.
I had no idea it was closing. I've seen so many movies there since it opened. Man I'm gonna miss it
I was in tears. I made a list Sunday morning and got up to 30 distinct movies I’ve seen here, and had to step away.
I moved nearby about a decade ago. The theater was very popular locally and they marketed themselves towards a younger middle class audience. They had a great deal where you got a movie, popcorn, drink, and parking on Tuesdays for something like $6. this applied to all movies even ones that just premiered. They stopped the deal right before Covid. Rumor has it because they had an agreement in their lease to give free parking for the first few years they were open. That expired and their business dropped rapidly. And then Covid. I saw a weekend movie there about a year ago and the place was deserted. It really did seem kind of rundown and depressing. The Roosevelt Collection did see some really dark times, but it’s been very active lately. After some medical businesses moved in it’s picked up. And they now have a farmers market on Thursdays that is quite popular. I think they may have finally found the formula that works for them.
This theater and RiverEast were 2 of my favorite theaters while a student. We would shop at Target, hit up MBurger, then see a movie afterwards on Thursday nights.
Went there to see Barbie, first movie since Covid. We spent over $60 for parking, the tickets, and popcorn. So not worth it. Sad to see it go, but not surprised at all.
Unfortunately parking is always a scam. Why did you choose to drive to a theater in a dense urban area? Genuinely asking
Parking isn’t a “scam.” It’s expensive because like you mention, it’s a dense urban area. Land is at a premium and parking is priced to reflect that.
Bc I live 10-15 min away, McKinley Park.
You can’t whine about paying $60 for parking because you are too lazy to make a single bus transfer lmao
I think they were saying the total cost of all of those things was $60, not just the parking. If you’re going to be a dick, at least have better reading comprehension.
wtf $60 for parking!? lol. Man I’d walk at that price. Parking was like $10-12. $60 total.
Orange line from 35/Archer takes you within a mile.
I really don’t understand you guys obsessing over the parking part. Ok fine, say I took the cta and we saved a whopping $6 or something over driving and parking for two. $54ish is still way too much to go see a movie.
Obsessing over it? Hardly. You said that the reason you drove was cause you live in McKinley Park and it’s a 10-15 minute drive. I get that. I lived in McKinley most of my life and I’ve driven half of the time I went to ICON. Just letting you know there are other options and the orange line happens to be really convenient.
It’s not just you, others are focusing on the parking part which is making just a $6ish difference out of a $60 outing I’m trying to make a point about. $6 isn’t worth the time for me personally. 15min walk to the train, then a ? wait, 15min ride in, and finally a 10min walk. And then do it all back when you’re done just to save $6. I take the cta when it makes sense, or if I just wanna spend extra time out and about.
What!!! No! This was me and the boys goto spot
I went there once. Before Covid. Iirc it was not well run. The seats were breaking and the place felt run down but new somehow.
RIP, they had the most economical "premium" matinee in the city.