Is Albany's Spectrum Theater Really Closing for Good?

NewsChannel 13 Video

Probably not, here's what we know.

It came as a pretty big shock that the iconic Spectrum Theater on Deleware Ave would be shutting down. The theater, which opened in 1983 as a single screen venue has morphed and expanded to 8 screens over the years. The theater is best known as one of the only places in the Capital Region to see independent and foreign films.

Landmark, which operates theaters nationally, issued a statement about the closure on Thursday. 

Landmark Theatres is constantly evaluating its business strategy and has decided to close the Landmark Spectrum Theatre. We are proud to have served the community over its many years of operation. We look forward to adding new Landmark Theatres soon.

Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan says she believes the theater will only be closed for a short time. 

I am confident the closure of the Spectrum Theatre will be temporary. I have been in contact with representatives from one of the prospective parties interested in operating the Theatre and look forward to there being a new operator so the shows on Delaware Avenue can go on

Meanwhile, the staff at the Spectrum Theater tells NewsChannel 13 they were blindsided by the announcement of the closure. Taylor Aguiar started working at the theater back in 2018 and was shocked to hear the news. 

That's 7, 8 employees of us that are having to look for a job in less than two weeks. 

Spectrum will continue to show movies before its official closure on February 22nd.

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