CLAREMONT, N.H. (WCAX) – It’s the end of an era in Claremont, New Hampshire– the city’s only movie theater is shutting down.
“I doubt I’ll go that often. I’m not going to go out of my way,” said Trevor Bush of Acworth, New Hampshire.
The news of the Cinema Center’s pending closure is spreading fast. Bush works in Claremont and grew up going to the movie theater with his family and friends.
“They’re excited to see a movie like a month from now that’s coming out and now they are like. ‘Oh, where do I got to go?’ To another town or even state for that matter just to go see a movie,” Bush said.
The cinema will be closing its doors permanently after almost 30 years. Claremont Mayor Dale Girard says it’s a blow to the city as a whole.
“You know it is one of those we are really saddened to see this,” Girard said.
He says the closure mirrors national trends of theaters shutting their doors. The COVID pandemic got people out of the habit of going out to films and now online streaming services are another reason to stay home.
But the mayor says arts and entertainment remain an integral part of any community.
“These are the people who won’t be coming into Claremont for other purposes and once they come in, they start seeing what we have going on here,” Girard said.
As one door closes in Claremont, another one opens. The grand opening for the Claremont Creative Center’s new downtown location is June 1.
“I think we are one of the best-kept secrets in the state because we have some of these incredible arts and it’s pay what you can. And if you can’t pay, please just show up and be a part of this amazing music,” said Melissa Richmond, the executive director of the West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts, which runs the new creative center and focuses on bringing in live music from all over the world. “Doing things together as a community is important and that is what the movie theater would bring.”
It’s a draw for an area that’s coming to its final act.
“A nice family thing and they have done it up so nice. You look at it now, it’s all brand new in there. It’s a bummer that it’s closing,” Bush said.
The pictures will keep playing until May 27 when the cinema closes for good.