After just three years, the Studio Movie Grill theater has closed its doors in the Arena District. A message posted on the exterior of the theater yesterday stated that the business would be closed for the day due to “emergency repairs regarding our restrooms”. Local man Ron Grabowski tweeted at Columbus Underground that someone from the business confirmed with him that the closure was actually permanent.
The Columbus location has been removed from the company’s website, but no formal announcement was made. Studio Movie Grill continues to operate 23 locations across the US — most of which are located in Texas.
“I think it’s absolutely a difficult location — different streets are often closed due to festivals, the traffic and parking situation can be intimidating to people who aren’t used to it because of concerts and Jackets games,” stated CU Film Critic Hope Madden when asked about the news of the closure. “You wind up working around so many external factors that I don’t think it ever becomes the theater of habit, especially with so many good theaters so close by.”
Studio Movie Grill opened its doors in The Arena District on January 14, 2014. It replaced the Arena Grand Theater, which was operated by Columbus Hospitality Management for Arena District developer Nationwide Realty Investors (NRI) from 2007 to 2013. That venture followed the end of the management agreement with Drexel Theater Group, which originally operated the venue from 2001 to 2007.
Upon its opening in 2014, Studio Movie Grill sought to differentiate itself with an upscale bar environment in the lobby and full in-theater dinner service available to movie-goers.
“We want to thank Columbus for allowing Studio Movie Grill to be a part of its community these past three years,” stated Lynne McQuaker, Â Senior Director of Public Relations & Outreach at Studio Movie Grill. “Unfortunately, SMG has decided to cease operations effective immediately.”
Update: (1/5 12:00pm) Additional details added to article.