Eight Chicago-area Regal Cinemas locations are included in the company’s decision to suspend operations of more than 500 locations because of "an increasingly challenging theatrical landscape."
Regal Cinemas announced Monday afternoon (October 5) that beginning on Thursday (October 8) it would temporarily close its theaters, though there’s no reopening date in sight. The announcement comes as the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic continues.
“In response to an increasingly challenging theatrical landscape and sustained key market closures, Regal will suspend operations at all theaters at close of business Thursday October 8, 2020 until further notice,” the company said in a statement on social media on Monday.
That impacts 543 theaters in the U.S., eight of which are around Chicago, including locations in Bolingbrook, Chicago, Crystal Lake, Lake Zurich, Lincolnshire, Round Lake Beach and Warrenville, NBC Chicago reported Monday. The outlet added that Regal Cinemas is the second largest movie theater chain in the country, second only to AMC.
The announcement means thousands of employees will lose jobs, ABC7Chicago reported. Many movie releases have been delayed this year because of the pandemic, and some studios have released films online for streaming rather than in theaters, for those uncomfortable venturing in public.
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