Toronto Cineplex location closing after landlord chooses not to renew lease

A six-screen Cineplex theatre in Toronto is preparing to close its doors this month after its landlord decided to lease the space out to another business. 

Cineplex Cinemas Beaches, located at 1651 Queen St. E., opened in 1999 under the Alliance Atlantis brand before being acquired by Cineplex in 2019. For more than two decades, the neighbourhood theatre has served as a quieter alternative for cinephiles who'd rather avoid the chaos that comes with downtown multiplexes. 

In a statement to blogTO, Cineplex confirmed the closure, writing, "We can confirm our Cineplex Cinemas Beaches location will be closing as the landlord has chosen to lease the space to another business."

According to building permits, Altea, a health and wellness business, will take over the space.

News of the theatre's closure quickly spread on social media, where many mourned the loss of the local institution. 

"Sucks. I remember when it opened. Lots of good memories seeing movies there with friends and family over the years," one person wrote. 

So extremely disappointed to hear this. I'm not surprised, however. It's always pretty empty in there, even on opening weekend of big movies. But so sad to see this go," another comment on Reddit reads. 

Others expressed hope that the upcoming closure will mean more business for the long-standing Fox Theatre, which is located about a six-minute drive or a 30-minute walk down the street at 2236 Queen St. E.

However, some noted that the theatre, which opened in 1914, only features a single screen and often shows a blend of classic Hollywood films, independent and foreign films, and new releases.

"We have loved being members of this wonderful neighbourhood for the past 20 years. We are grateful to the Beaches community for their support and look forward to welcoming familiar faces to our nearby Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas and VIP and Cineplex Odeon Eglinton Town Centre Cinemas locations," the statement from Cineplex continues. 

Cineplex Cinemas Beaches will host its last screenings on Tuesday, Feb. 17.