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By TYLER RALEY | Staff Writer

NORTH SHELBY – Following 21 years of service and movie showings to families in the North Shelby and surrounding areas, the AMC CLASSIC Lee Branch 15 theatre is closing its doors as the building it sits in is embarking on a new chapter.

Employees at the location have confirmed that the theatre will officially close after its showings on Sunday, March 23, with the final movies being 10:30 p.m. showings of Disney’s “Snow White” and thriller “Locked.”

The location also confirmed the closure on its website and encourages customers to visit the next nearest location, the AMC Patton Creek 15.

Following its closure, the theatre confirmed the building will begin its transformation into a gym. However, the branding of the gym has yet to be released.

The theatre originally opened in June 2004, but was operated by Rave Motion Picture Theatres. After eight years, the Rave was taken over and rebranded by Carmike Cinemas in 2012. Carmike was soon bought out by AMC in a deal that was closed in December 2016, and in 2017, all locations were converted to an AMC.

AMC Theatres, which was founded in December 1920, is a multi-nation owned movie theater chain and has since become one of the world’s premiere entertainment companies.

Since its opening, the Lee Branch staple has played movies on a daily basis outside of when it was shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also sold a number of classic movie snacks and held an arcade area for kids to play in when they wanted to.

While the location in Lee Branch is closing, the AMC Summit 16 location next to Taco Mama and Ulta Beauty will remain open to the public after undergoing extensive renovations over the course of the last two years. The one in the Summit features a full bar and reclining seats with heated features along with other upgrades.

More updates will be posted at Shelbycountyreporter.com.