Plaza Theatre
1847 E. Larpenteur Avenue,
Maplewood,
MN
55109
1847 E. Larpenteur Avenue,
Maplewood,
MN
55109
1 person
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Related Websites
PlazaTheatre (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Cineplex Odeon, Plitt Theatres
Styles: Rustic
Previous Names: Plaza Maplewood Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Plaza Maplewood Theatre opened as a single screen on August 30, 1967 with Julie Andrews in “Hawaii”. It was twinned on April 15, 1983. The manager of this theatre has done a great job to clean up this neighborhood movie house. It has gone from second run to first run back to second run in order to stay open. The theatre is a block away from a busy street and just doesn’t get the attention it deserves. I hoped more families could use the theatre for the low cost entertainment it offered. The Plaza Theatre was closed in 2021.
Contributed by
ed obermeyer-kolb
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Recent comments (view all 12 comments)
Oh forgot to make a comment. Chuck1231 above is wrong. the theater only has TWO screens
The theater tends to do ok, despite its conditions. A lot of families go there on the weekends. That’s its best business. Iron Man and Dark Knight had sell out showings, I know that much. Sometimes they only had a few movies playing at a time. Right now there are like 6. Also kids movies sometimes last months. ‘UP’ I think was there for like 4 months, even after it was on DVD. I live in the area so I go there occasionally. You know look its an old theater so I guess some of the cosmetic stuff listed above isn’t a huge issue. Its just the service has been lacking lately. That’s kind of turned me off to going there.
In the winter time they don’t open their doors Monday-Thursday until the 4 pm-ish block of films. I guess it keeps cost down. A movie there on a weeknight is generally not too crowded. Sometimes its equal to a first run depending on whats playing, sometimes you might be one of a handful of people. I was alone for a couple movies one time. But the prices for family is the real draw. Popcorn, drinks, and snacks are practically half price of a major chain and tickets are never more than 2 bucks a person. So they do all right for themselves I would think. They’re still around.
The presentation is “fine”? Not hardly. The twinning was done in 1983 by Plitt. It was a Minnesota Amusement Co. (Paramount) build, in 1967. The screens are kiddy-wompus so there’s keystoning problems and the lamps are pretty dim.
On October 31, 2013, the Plaza Maplewood Theatre was taken over by Woodland Hills church – the entity acting as landlord for the facility. After allowing the former owner, Nathan Block, to build back the business, they kicked him out after 15 years of running this neighborhood theater when nobody else wanted it. They forced him to put on a new roof, air-conditioner and fire suppressant system at his own expense. Then after failing to renew his lease, assumed ownership of all assets without paying him a single dime. In addition, the entire staff was let go, putting a dozen good people, some of who had worked there for many years, out of work.
This “church” continues to operate the facility as a second-run movie theater, keeping all the profits, even though I thought churches were supposed to be “non-profit” entities.
Please boycott the Plaza Theater until this “church” gives it back to the former owner!
Now called The Plaza Theater. Updated website link: http://theplazatheater.com/
A nice article on Woodland Hills ownership of the Plaza Theater. https://www.twincities.com/2017/07/22/maplewood-church-places-faith-in-a-movie-theater-for-affordable-family-fun/
The Plaza theatre opened on August 30th, 1967 and closed in 2021. Grand opening ad posted.
Update status to closed
Two screens on April 15th, 1983. Ad posted.
Once operated by ABC North Central Theatres, Plitt Theatres, and Cineplex Odeon.