Cinema Chatham powered by Emagine

210 W. 87th Street,
Chicago, IL 60620

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Emagine Entertainment, Loews Cineplex, Marcus Theatres, Studio Movie Grill

Previous Names: ICE Chatham 14, Chatham 14 Theatres, Studio Movie Grill Chatham, Chatham Cinemas

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News About This Theater

Cinema Chatham powered by Emagine

This was one of three state-of-the-art multiplexes (along with the 62nd & Western 10 and Lawndale 10) built by Inner City Entertainment and all three opened November 26, 1997 through a partnership with Cineplex Odeon, who would operate them. They were viewed as a significant effort to bring movies back to the city’s African-American community, and to help revitalize the south side. Following Loews-Cineplex’s reorganization, Marcus took over management in 2002.

It was closed on October 19, 2012, but reopened on October 26, 2012. It was closed again in 2016 and was taken over by the Studio Grill chain. It was given a $3million remodel and reopened in March 2017 as Studio Movie Grill Chatham. It was closed on March 15, 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Studio Movie Grill filed for bankruptcy and the theatre remains closed in February 2021.

It was taken over by Emagine Entertainment in April 2021 and following renovations it reopened in August 2021. It was closed on February 1, 2024.

Contributed by Brian Wolf

Recent comments (view all 11 comments)

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini on April 18, 2006 at 5:31 pm

Didn’t ICE have a hand in the ill-fated Meridien chain circa 2000-2001? Or Vise Versa.

CSWalczak
CSWalczak on October 19, 2012 at 10:46 pm

ICE abruptly closed this theater on October 19, 2012. According to this article, a notice of eviction from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office was posted on the door.

CSWalczak
CSWalczak on October 27, 2012 at 2:48 am

Here is an additional story about the reopening; the new operator is F&F Management.

rivest266
rivest266 on November 9, 2016 at 5:09 am

The 62nd & Western, Chatham 14 and Lawndale 10 all opened on November 26th, 1997 by a partnership of Cineplex Odeon and Inner City Entertainment. The grand opening ad can be found in the photo section

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini on November 25, 2019 at 8:26 pm

Interesting that of the three former ICE (Inner City Entertainment) theaters that opened in 1997, this survived whereas the other two have closed. The Lawndale sits empty and the 62nd & Western has been demolished.

CinemarkFan
CinemarkFan on February 21, 2021 at 4:29 am

This location is no longer listed on the SMG website. May be closed for good due to the chain filling for bankruptcy.

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini on May 3, 2021 at 8:24 pm

Cinemark Fan–glad to see you’re still here and posting. I’ve slowly gotten back into this website.

This theater seems to have had more than its share of ups and downs.

RickB
RickB on September 1, 2021 at 7:16 pm

Block Club Chicago story on the theater and its manager.

Broan
Broan on January 31, 2024 at 8:45 pm

It’s closed again. https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/01/31/cinema-chatham-one-of-the-south-sides-few-movie-theaters-closes-permanently/

LouRugani
LouRugani on February 2, 2024 at 3:04 am

Cinema Chatham, One Of The South Side’s Few Movie Theaters, Closes Permanently. —– Officials posted a sign on the entrance alerting neighbors the movie theater was permanently closed. It opened in August 2021. (By Atavia Reed) - CHATHAM: Cinema Chatham permanently closed this week, shutting down just days after hosting a screening with a local alderperson’s office. Cinema Chatham officials posted a sign on the entrance this week saying the theatre was permanently closed. Shocked neighbors responded to the news on Facebook Tuesday. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and patronage,” the sign read. “It has been a pleasure serving you.” Anthony LaVerde, CEO of parent company Emagine Entertainment, said in a statement that the theater at 210 W. 87th St was no longer economically viable. “It is with deep regret that Cinema Chatham, a franchise operator under the Emagine brand, announces its closure,” Emagine leaders said in a statement. “The decision comes as a result of the business at this specific location no longer being economically viable. When our franchise partner reopened the theatre in 2021, they were hopeful they could to continue to carry on the legacy of serving this community, so we understand that this news may be disheartening.” Jon Goldstein, owner of Cinema Chatham, did not immediately respond to Block Club’s request for comment. Ald. Ronnie Mosley (21st), whose ward includes the theater, said it’s a “major blow to the arts and entertainment scene in the 21st Ward. Despite the decline of the movie theatre industry in the U.S., further worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and growing popularity of streaming services, Cinema Chatham made a valiant effort to stay open, and their efforts are appreciated,” Mosley said in a statement. Worlee Glover, a longtime Chatham resident, learned about the closing after neighbors began texting him with pictures of the sign, he said. Most people found out about the closing only after visiting the theatre, 210 W. 87th St., Glover said. “It looks to us like it was a last-minute decision,” Glover said. Cinema Chatham opened in August 2021. Goldstein, an avid movie fan and Emagine Theatre franchisee, bought the 87th Street building in 2019 when it still housed Studio Movie Grill. Studio Movie Grill filed for bankruptcy in 2020 and permanently closed in April 2021. Goldstein filled the vacant space with Cinema Chatham. South Side moviegoers slowly flocked back to the theater in August 2021 while Goldstein worked to open all 14 theaters to the public and obtain a liquor license. The theater hosted a grand opening celebration in July 2022 with new renovations and a screening of Jordan Peele’s film, “Nope.” “This might sound cheesy, but there’s nothing better than doing this,” Goldstein previously told Block Club. “Something about entertaining people and making people happy through entertainment has always been a real joy for me. The thought that I provided a couple of hours of escapism has always been something that just feels like my purpose. What a great business to be in.” Glover used to visit Cinema Chatham often, he said. The theatre was known for partnering with local community organizations for special screenings. Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th) hosted a 16th Ward Movie Day screening of “The Color Purple” on Jan. 25. Cinema Chatham also often screened films by independent filmmakers and hosted festivals for up-and-coming artists, like the Cinema Soup Film Festival and the Indie Horror Film Festival. “I’ve been a supporter since they first opened,” Glover said. “We’re losing out.” Cinema Chatham joins a list of national chains that have abruptly left the 87th Street building. A Best Buy in the Chatham Ridge Shopping Mall closed in April 2013. A Toys R Us store occupied the building before that. “National chains do this all the time to us,” Glover said. “We have to stop depending on them for our goods and services and start focusing on individual entrepreneurs.” Cinema Chatham’s closing leaves South Side moviegoers with only two easily accessible theaters: The Harper Theater, 5238 S. Harper, and AMC Ford City 14, 7601 S. Cicero Ave. Glover would like to see another movie chain set up shop in the 87th Street building, he said. Developers could pair the theater with a sit-down restaurant — another amenity lacking in the community, Glover said. “Hopefully, another operator will come in and open it back up with a new plan,” Glover said. “I’d like to see something fast casual there, too, like a Chili’s. That would be a big improvement.” (© 2024 Block Club Chicago)

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