Hollywood East Cinema Grill

Opened on April 19, 1973 as the Long Leaf Mall Cinema 1 & 2. It became Wilmington’s second twin theatre, three years after the opening of the Oreander Cinema 1 & 2, which became Wilmington’s first-ever twin theatre under Charlotte based Stewart and Everett Theatres. At the time of its opening, the Long Leaf Mall Cinemas 1 & 2 had a seating capacity of 600 (300 seats in each auditorium). Stewart and Everett operated the Long Leaf Mall Cinemas 1 & 2 until 1996, when Carmike Cinemas took over as an acquisition of Stewart and Everett.

By 1988, it went from showing first run movies to becoming a discount house showing second run movies in order to stay afloat. Carmike Cinemas closed the Long Leaf Mall Cinemas 1 & 2 in 1996.

It stood vacant for five years until May of 2001 when it reopened as the Hollywood East Cinema Grill, which was an intermediate-run theatre with full restaurant service that had a seating capacity of 364. The Hollywood East Cinema Grill catered to showing independent, second run films and foreign releases, as well as showing Hollywood classics. In 2006, the Hollywood East Cinema Grill started showing Bollywood movies, and was closed in November 2007. An office and commercial space now stands where the former Long Leaf Mall Cinemas 1 & 2/Hollywood East Cinema Grill once stood.

Recent comments (view all 9 comments)

raysson on July 11, 2008 at 11:34 am

Formerly the Long Leaf Mall Cinemas 1 & 2.

Once owned and operated by the Stewart & Everett Theatre chain before being owned by Carmike Cinemas.

smyjmy on November 6, 2010 at 8:01 pm

After the Hollywood East Cinema Grill closed the interior was renovated and now the former theater is home for medical offices.

smyjmy on November 17, 2010 at 8:27 am

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raysson on November 17, 2010 at 9:54 am

The Long Leaf Mall Cinema 1 & 2 opened in 1973 by Stewart and Everett Theatres. It was the second twin theatre to opened in the greater Wilmington area since the Oleander Cinemas 1 & 2 opened in 1970. During the 1970’s and part of the 1980’s,Charlotte-based Stewart and Everett Theatres operated all of the movie theatres in Wilmington including its Downtown theatres(Bailey Theatre,Colony Theatre),and drive-ins(Highway 17 North,and the Skyview Drive-Ins)

Mike Rogers on January 13, 2011 at 7:06 pm

Thanks raysson and smyjmy.

raysson on May 28, 2013 at 4:20 pm

THE GRAND OPENING OF THE LONG LEAF CINEMA 1 & 2: Opened on April 19,1973 under Charlotte-based Stewart and Everett Theatres. THE PREMIERE ATTRACTIONS FOR THE GRAND OPENING:

CINEMA 1: Exclusive Coastal Carolina Engagement!!!
Paul Newman in THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JUDGE ROY BEAN
Featuring North Carolina’s own Ava Gardner!!!

CINEMA 2: Ryan O'Neal in THE THIEF WHO CAME TO DINNER

THE COMING ATTRACTIONS FOR THE LONG LEAF CINEMA 1 & 2:

James Coburn in PAT GARRETT AND BILLY THE KID

Robert Duvall in BADGE 373

George C. Scott and Faye Dunaway in OKLAHOMA CRUDE

Charlton Heston in SOYLENT GREEN

raysson on July 30, 2013 at 9:31 am

This was one of the many theatres Carmike Cinemas acquired in 1986 after it bought out Stewart and Everett. Carmike Cinemas closed this theatre in 1996 where it sat vacant for five years before it became the Hollywood East Cinema and Grill which remain a top arthouse theatre until it finally closed in 2007.

rivest266 on October 27, 2013 at 1:21 pm

April 19th, 1973 grand opening ad uploaded in the photo section for this cinema.

NightHawk1 on December 11, 2013 at 10:50 pm

Carmike operated this theater as the Long Leaf Twin.