News Summary
The Bow Tie Management Cinemas at Dutch Square Center has closed its doors for good, leaving Columbia with fewer movie options. The closure follows a trend of diminishing theaters in the area, including notable locations like AMC Classic and Regal Cinemas. With the last day of operation on April 20, the local community is left to navigate a shrinking entertainment landscape, prompting discussions about the future of cinema in the region.
Columbia, SC – The Bow Tie Management Cinemas at Dutch Square Center mall has officially closed its doors permanently, leaving the Columbia area with dwindling movie options. The closure was confirmed by signage placed on the theater’s door, stating that it was permanently closed, and the location has been removed from the Bow Tie Management website. Additionally, the theater is listed as permanently closed on Google.
A note posted on the theater door expressed gratitude to patrons for their support and confirmed that the last day of operations was April 20, 2025.
Originally opened in December 1997 as part of the General Cinemas chain, the Dutch Square 14 theater has undergone several changes in ownership over the years. It transitioned to the AMC chain when AMC acquired General Cinemas. AMC continued to operate the theater until August 2022, after which it was closed for approximately one month. In September 2022, the cinema reopened under Bow Tie Management, only to have now ceased operations less than three years later.
Impact of Recent Closures
The closure of Bow Tie Cinemas reflects a significant trend in the Columbia area, where movie theaters have seen a decline in numbers. The local community has experienced a series of theater closures, limiting options for filmgoers. Notably, the 10-screen AMC Classic located at 5320 Forest Drive closed in September 2022, followed by the seven-screen Regal Cinemas on the roof of the Richland Mall, which ceased operations in February 2022 after serving the community for 32 years. The Richland Mall site has since been demolished as part of a new $100 million mixed-use development project.
Further compounding the closure trend, the five-screen St. Andrews Cinemas, a staple in the area with a 40-year history under various ownerships, shut down in December 2023. These closures have left Columbia residents with fewer options for traditional movie experiences.
Remaining Theaters
In the aftermath of the Bow Tie closure, the only remaining option for cinema-goers in or near downtown Columbia is the Nickelodeon Theater, a two-screen nonprofit art house cinema. Outside of downtown, several other theaters are still operational in the larger Columbia area, including:
- Regal Columbiana Grande on Bower Parkway
- Spotlight Capital 8 on Columbia Mall Boulevard
- AMC Harbison 14 on Columbiana Drive
- Regal Sandhill in northeast Columbia
- Regal Northlake Village in Lexington
- Big Mo Drive-In in Monetta
The drastic decline in theaters in the Columbia area has sparked discussions among residents about the future of entertainment options in the region, especially as new developments emerge while traditional movie venues disappear. As the cinema landscape continues to evolve, it remains uncertain how this trend will affect community engagement and the availability of cultural activities.
This news highlights the importance of monitoring local entertainment options, especially with changes in ownership and the increasing pressure from modern streaming services that may be contributing to the struggle of traditional mode theaters.
The story of Bow Tie Management Cinemas exemplifies the shifting dynamics of movie viewing in Columbia, emphasizing a growing challenge for both patrons seeking cinematic experiences and for operators aiming to meet consumer demands in an ever-changing landscape.
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Additional Resources
- The State: Local News
- Baltimore Sun: Cinemark Closure
- Seattle Times: Ark Lodge Building
- Columbia Gorge News: Cinema Closure
- MSN: New Movie Theater Opening
- Wikipedia: Cinema
- Google Search: Columbia movie theater closures
- Google Scholar: Movie theater closures impact
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Movie theater
- Google News: Columbia SC cinema
