Cottonwood Cinema closing the curtain
The last showings will be Monday, Jan. 21.
Glen Carbon Mayor Rob Jackstadt said he is sad to see the theater pull out. However, he said the closing has nothing to do with the recently squashed decision by Wal-Mart to expand the store, which is located on the same lot."While I am disappointed that this affordable theater will be gone, the public has known since ShowPlace 12 opened in Edwardsville that Kerasotes Theatres would not keep the Cottonwood theater open much longer," Jackstadt said.
The Cottonwood Cinema has been located at 300 Junction Drive for more than 20 years. However, when Kerasotes ShowPlace Theatre, which owns the modest movie theater, entered the scene in Edwardsville about 10 years ago, the company made no bones about the intention of eventually closing down its smaller operation in Glen Carbon.
In fact, in a letter to THF Realty, the developers and landlord of the Cottonwood Mall, dated April, 2007, Kerasotes representatives stated, "under no circumstances does Kerasote ShowPlace Theatres have any long-term plans to remain at Cottonwood Mall.
"In addition to the fact that the theatre at Cottonwood is too small by today's standards and has a sloped floor as opposed to stadium seating, we feel that ShowPlace 12 in Edwardsville adequately serves the market."
Claire Malo, director of marketing for Kerasotes Theatre, offered a different viewpoint, however.
"It was my understanding that the landlord has asked us to vacate the premises and we are turning over the theaters to them effective Jan. 31," Malo said.
A representative from THF Realty declined to comment about the closure.
Jackstadt said it appears as though shutting down the theater has been planned for some time.
"Since neither THF Realty nor Wal-Mart have any current remodeling plans submitted to the village, it certainly seems that the Cottonwood Theatre closing was planned for some time and has nothing to do with any unknown future plans by THF Realty or Wal-Mart for the shopping area," Jackstadt said.
Either way, the cinema will close its curtain for good following the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Until then, "Water Horse," "Enchanted" and the "Great Debaters" will be the movies offered for viewing.
"My family members and I have enjoyed this theatre for many years," Jackstadt said. "Clearly, however, the closing is no surprise."
E-mail: mvickers@yourjournal.com
