THEATERS Economic pressure forces Austintown Movies to close

By GUY D'ASTOLFO
VINDICATOR ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
AUSTINTOWN -- Citing economic factors and changes in consumer habits, Austintown Movies has announced it will close Jan. 2.
The three-screen theater in Austintown Plaza is the Mahoning Valley's only outlet devoted to independent films. The theater specializes in critically acclaimed movies that fly under the mainstream multiplex radar.
The theater opened five years ago and successfully co-existed for most of that time with a new 10-screen Regal Cinemas multiplex next door.
Jonathan Forman, president of Cleveland Cinemas, which owns Austintown Movies, said his company was deeply disappointed to make the announcement.
"There's been an outpouring of heartfelt, kind words from patrons," he said. "It's no one's fault."
Forman praised the landlord of the plaza, B & amp; I Management, for providing a favorable lease agreement to the theater. "The landlord has been more than fair," said Forman. "They've been an unsung partner who has gone way beyond the call. They've been more than generous."
The theater industry nationwide is in a time of change, according to Forman. "Theaters everywhere are closing. People are spending their money on home entertainment systems with large screens, as the [theater to DVD] window continues to shrink," said Forman, who also cited Netflix, the movie-by-mail service, for keeping people away from the theater.