Overheard in Asheville: Cinebarre’s Closing Day

Today at 5 PM Cinebarre showed their last movie. Drinks were discounted 75% off, and the parking lot was full as locals packed into the theater, selling out every single showing available today. A mere week ago it was announced that Cinebarre would be closing down their Asheville location, currently in the Biltmore Square Mall/Asheville Outlets. The report was that it was not feasible for the theater to stay open during the renovation of the mall, and that they were considering re-opening in 2015 when construction was finished. It was mentioned that perhaps the theater would scout additional locations in Asheville to rebuild. Now, that all appears doubtful.

Two AshevilleBlog staffers were visiting Cinebarre earlier this week to enjoy the affordable ticket prices and atmosphere before the theater shut down for good. Settled comfortable in their seats, they noticed an out of town family sitting in front of them getting ready to enjoy the movie. Approached by one of the Cinebarre servers, the family started exclaiming about how much they loved the concept of ‘movie and a meal’, and explained that they were here in Asheville from out of town. The server explained that unfortunately, Cinebarre would be closing Sunday June 20th. When asked why, the server told the movie goers that Cinebarre originally had no intentions of leaving the theater. The theater received a letter from Asheville Outlets, asking the them to relocate.

It seems that Asheville Outlets was not enthused with a second run theater being a part of their new complex. Cinebarre would have to completely remodel, and if they were to reopen, they would have to upgrade all equipment. Currently the theater only plays film movies, whereas as of the end the year movie standards would be switched over to digital format and film will no longer be made for the big screen. This means that to even play second run movies, the theater would have to invest thousands of dollars in new equipment. If Cinebarre was to do this and reopen in Asheville, they would be a premier movie and dinner theater, competing with the likes of Regal and Carolina Cinemas.

As it is now, the staffer explained, all employees of the current Asheville location have been offered relocation and jobs at another Cinebarre location. Most of the employees are transitioning  to the most recently opened theater in Denver, Colorado.

Will Cinebarre come back to Asheville? No one can say for sure, but at the moment it seems unlikely. Our staffers were very disheartened to hear that the much loved Asheville theater was seemingly forced out of the new mall.  With the closing of Belk at the end of the year, that only leaves two stores left in the mall – Dillards Clearance and Dollar Tree. It almost seems inevitable to bargain on which store will be on the chopping block next.