What Happened To Cinemas 10 Theater?
Low angle shot of Cinemas 10. Photo by Naomi Haden
When Cinemas 10 Entertainment was first opened in 1997, it was the most accessible movie theater in Chicago’s North Lawndale area.
Located at 3330 W. Roosevelt Rd. at the intersection of W. Roosevelt Rd.and S. Homan Ave, it was known for reasonable ticket and food prices, such as $5 dollar Tuesdays, an arcade, and screened newly released movies without crowding movie theaters. This resulted in great reviews on the internet.
According to Google reviews, Cinemas 10 received 4.2 stars overall from 131 people who visited the location. Most reviews shared that the staff was friendly, good prices and the theater itself was well kept up.
One review from three months ago from a person named Pedro Reyes remarked, “ Good prices! And it’s always clean!! The staff was very nice and helpful...I loved to come here!” and gave Cinemas 10 five stars out of five.
Another Google review from Samantha Miller stated, “Not crowded. Staff respectful. Clean theatre” and gave Cinemas 10 4 stars out of 5.
The closing and the re-openings are a complete mystery till this point. Who really knows the truth of the shutdowns? Will it reopen soon?
Yet, between 1997-2018, the theater has been closed and opened several times. Why has Cinemas 10 been inconsistent with its presence within the community?
The reason for its closing is unclear. Multiple attempts of contacting previous Cinemas 10 managers and Ald. Micheal Scott Jr. (24th Ward), were not successful. The past owners’ phone numbers were out of service.
There are some rumors scattered throughout the North Lawndale area about the theater’s most recent closing.
North Lawndale resident Tyesha claimed, “ [Locals] said [Cinemas 10 staff] found bodies in there”.
North Lawndale resident Jerome Sanders stated, “ I heard a few people got stabbed at the movie theater, so that’s why [Cinemas 10] closed it down the first time, and the second time I think some type of needle was found at the movie theater”.
North Lawndale resident Sharon Sanders mentioned, “[Other residents of North Lawndale] said it was rats in the movie theater, so that’s why it really closed down”.
Consequently, the hope of Cinemas 10 re-opening is uncertain.
Cinemas 10 sign located left of the movie theater entrance. Photo by Naomi Haden