A local developer has made a proposal to purchase the land on which Circle Cinemas is located and make it into a housing complex. The possible shutdown has Cleveland Circle business owners, residents, and students sharing mixed reactions and nostalgic memories of the theater.
Merrill Diamond has contacted National Amusements Inc., the parent company of Circle Cinemas, with an offer to acquire the site. The property is valued at over $2 million, according to Brookline and Boston property databases.
When approached by The Heights, José Perez, Circle Cinemas manager, declined to comment on the situation. Jennifer Hanson, who does public relations for Circle Cinemas, was not available when contacted.
Ryan Heller, rental manager for Greenline Realty and BC '01, speculated that housing would most likely be high-end condominiums for purchase, making it unavailable for lease. "I'd predict it won't turn into student housing," said Heller.
Since Brighton is a booming real estate locale, Heller said that the condos would likely sell from $400,000 to $2 million.
Students saw the closing of the theater as an inconvenience. "I think it would be inconvenient to close down Circle Cinemas movie theater because other movie theaters in the Boston area are too far away," said Andrew Jarvis, A&S '07.
"The Cleveland Circle theater is really close so its easy not to have to go down to Fenway, and it plays new movies so the quality of the theater doesn't matter that much," said Elias Rose, A&S '08.
Local business managers in the Cleveland Circle area were generally undecided about the possible closing of the theater, a fixture in the area since 1965.
Omar Nariaki, Dunkin Donuts store manager, said that sales are dependent on the number of customers. He said he would favor the plan if the closure of the movie house and construction of the housing complex meant an increase in customers. If the housing complex meant a loss of student customers, he would be opposed to change. "Students are customer number one because we are a food business," said Nariaki.
Alfredo Garcia, store manager of The Wrap, said, "I know our business is mainly from students. I don't exactly know if our students go to the movies and then come here. It [the closing of the movie theater] might bring down business a little bit, not much."
Local customers at The Wrap were disappointed to hear about the possible future plans for Circle Cinemas. "It's been there for so long," said Vanessa Wool, a local resident. "It's like tearing down a landmark."
"It's always nice to have variety in the neighborhood," said John Rogaris, owner of Roggie's Bar and Grill. "I think losing the theaters will hurt a lot, because it's nice to know that you can walk to a cinema."
In business terms, Rogaris was unsure of the effect on his profits. "The bottom line is that we are looking for new people everyday, so if the cinema does close, a housing complex would be better than a vacant spot," he said.
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