Overview
- The family-run Romeo Theatre on Van Dyke Avenue in Washington Township announced in early August that it will close in mid-September after 40 years of operation.
- Owners said the theater never recovered from a yearlong pandemic shutdown, an 18-month period of limited film availability tied to actors' and writers' strikes, and steady audience shifts to streaming services that cut ticket sales.
- The property owner plans to bring a new non-theater business to the site, but no tenant details have been released.
- Local officials and residents praised the theater as a community hub and expressed sadness over the loss of a venue known for affordable shows and its signature popcorn.
- A few final screenings remain before mid-September and the owners said they may keep the brand alive with limited community appearances selling 'Romeo Theatre Popcorn-To-Go.'