TOMS RIVER, NJ – Toms River used to be home to two drive-in theaters. When those died out, it became the theater capital of Ocean County with three theaters including the Ocean County Mall, Dover Mall and in the old theater next door to the former Bob Kislin’s store.
In 1990, Loews Seacort Pavillion opened up to become the first mega-theater in Toms River, which put most other theaters already struggling out of business for good.
Then came the Marquee Orchard Cinema on Route 37, but today Loews announced it will be closing the Lowes Seacoutt 10 theater.
“AMC regularly evaluates its U.S. locations, as well as opportunities outside of its circuit, and makes decisions on a theater-by-theater basis based on what will best strengthen the company going forward,” company spokesperson Ryan Noonan said in a statement today.
The theater closing comes as Toms River Mayor Maurice Hill announced a major development project adjacent to the theater including a VA medical facility. Plans also call for high-density apartment housing.
The closing comes as movie theaters have never really bounced back to pre-pandemic levels after nearly two years of theater restrictions and lockdowns at the hands of Governor Phil Murphy.
Sunday is anticipated to be the last day of operations at the theater.