Why One of Bronx’s Few Movie Theaters Is Shutting Down: Details Inside

NEW YORK –  With the closure of the Concourse Plaza Multiplex Cinemas, there will be only one movie theater in the entire borough of The Bronx.

Showcase Cinemas confirmed in an April statement to the Bronx Borough President’s office that the cinema on 161st Street is closing, citing “failure to come to terms with a new lease agreement.”

In full, the statement says:

Concourse Plaza Multiplex Cinemas has closed, according to Showcase Cinemas, as a result of an impasse over a new lease. The movie theater will close on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, after business hours.

We would like to extend a special thank you to Starpass loyalty club members for their many years of moviegoing at Concourse Plaza Multiplex Cinemas. Showcase Cinemas is still steadfastly dedicated to the theatrical exhibition industry, and we’re excited to keep offering our US theater patrons the best possible moviegoing experience.

The AMC Bay Plaza Cinema 13 in Co-Op City will be the lone movie theater remaining in the borough after the Concourse Plaza Multiplex closes.

For many years, the South Bronx movie theater was a mainstay.
The theater, located in the center of the South Bronx, was a community mainstay for many decades, according to longtime patrons.

“I’ve been coming here probably since the early 90s, mid 90s, and it’s been part of my family for awhile now,” stated Charles Diaz.

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For those patrons hoping to squeeze in one more show, the movie theater evokes happy memories.

“I’m going to the last show,” Ruby Hall declared. “We had a lot of good times in there, but I’m sorry they’re closing.”

“To have today as one of the last couple days to have the movie theater open, I decided to come out and try to be part of the tradition one more time before it’s gone,” Diaz stated.

Locals anticipate that whatever takes the place of the movie theater will be advantageous to the neighborhood.

“I think the children would benefit mostly from anything that would be new to the community,” Diaz stated.

“I consider the children. They require somewhere to go,” Hall remarked.