Island Cinemas announces closure. See what's taking over the location.
Island Cinemas 10, Aquidneck Island’s only multi-screen movie theater, will close in January following the sale of its building.
“We have been a part of this community for 30 years, as Holiday Cinemas 7 and then Island Cinemas 10,” the business posted to its Facebook page. “We would like to thank everyone who patronized our business along the way, we couldn't have made it this long without all of you. We truly loved our customers.”
The 30-year-old Middletown movie theater posted a message to its Facebook page announcing the closure on Tuesday afternoon, stating the business would cease operations on Sunday, Jan. 21 by the end of the business day. It said the business had been sold and the theater lease was not renewed.
Without Island Cinemas 10, the last remaining movie theater on Aquidneck will be Jane Pickens Theater, a single-screen independent theater in downtown Newport.
The theater underwent a renovation in 2019 that included the addition of luxury reclining seats to all 10 auditoriums. The establishment could seat 1,430 people before the changes, but the renovation reduced total seating to 721 because of the bigger, more luxurious chairs. The theater also added touch-screen soda fountains so guests can personalize and dispense their beverages.
What's coming to the site?
In place of the movie theater appears to be an indoor pickleball facility.
The website for Newport Pickleball says it will be located in the former Island Cinemas location. According to the site, Newport Pickleball will sport "11 dedicated pickleball courts, a private event space, lounge and bar."
It is described as a "state-of-the-art indoor/outdoor entertainment hub designed to cultivate an environment of enjoyment, camaraderie, and community engagement for patrons of all ages."
The facility is expected to open in the summer of 2024.
This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Island Cinemas in Middletown, RI, announces plans to close on Jan. 21
