After 21 years of capturing the indescribable feeling when the lights begin to dim, the AMC CLASSIC Lee Branch 15 theatre closed its doors on Sunday, March 23.

The space is being converted into a Onelife Fitness gym. This is another example of the movie theatre business’s shifting dynamics.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the movie theatre industry has seen ticket sales plummet, with people favoring streaming services from the comfort of their own home. While this is certainly not the only reason that the AMC CLASSIC Lee Branch 15 theatre closed, it is without question a contributing factor.

After the announcement of the theatre’s closure, many residents expressed their disappointment and mourned the loss of the AMC theatre. There is nothing quite like the magic of seeing a double feature, like the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, or seeing the long-awaited sequel to one of your favorite franchises in a reclining seat with buttered popcorn galore.

Creative spaces, like movie theatres, concert venues and museums, should be celebrated and maintained throughout Shelby County. While the AMC Classic Lee Branch 15 theatre is not the only place in the county to catch a good movie, it is another casualty of the film industry’s recent flux.

Movie theatres and spaces like it should be venerated and treated with dignity in Shelby County. While I believe that careful thought and consideration was placed into closing down the AMC CLASSIC Lee Branch 15 theatre, unceremoniously closing it after decades of service still leaves its dedicated fans with a bad taste in their mouths.

Shelby County is a place that celebrates and honors the arts in all of its forms. Movie theatres are an integral piece of Americana, and closing one down in favor of another workout gym does a disservice to Shelby County residents.