Citing a decline in attendance and increased competition, St. Louis-based Wehrenberg Theatres today announced the closure of its Springfield theater.
After 20 years in operation, the Campbell 16 Cine will close July 31, said Wehrenberg Vice President of Marketing Kelly Hoskins.
“The market’s basically overscreened. Something’s got to give and unfortunately it’s the Campbell,” she said, noting the Springfield theater is the only planned closure in the chain. “We need to offer the best and we can’t in this situation.”
Hoskins pointed to features at other local theaters, including IMAX screens and luxury seating, that have drawn viewers away from the the Wehrenberg theater at 4005 South Ave. off of Campbell Avenue.
“Our attendance has been dwindling,” she said, declining to disclose figures. “We’ve been unable to turn it around.”
Earlier this year, Ozark-based SLS Audio installed Dolby Laboratories Inc.’s 3-D sound technology Atmos at Campbell 16 Cine. The system costs roughly $100,000-$150,000 per screen, according to
Springfield Business Journal archives.
Hoskins said the theater chain picked the Springfield theater as a test site for its other locations and with hopes of improving attendance. Now, she said, Wehrenberg is bringing the technology to St. Louis. The company also has three other theater projects in the works, but the deals aren’t finalized.
Hoskins said Wehrenberg does not own the theater building that sits on 9.4 acres. The property, owned by Cinema 16 LLC, has a 2016 taxable appraised value of $4.3 million, according to Greene County assessor records. Cinema 16 LLC’s registered agent is Judith Beisner, according to the Missouri secretary of state’s office.
