JERSEY CITY, NJ – The AMC theater at Newport Centre mall is no longer showing films, but not for cinematic reasons. The Jersey City Health Department shut down the 11-screen facility on Tuesday, citing a significant rat problem.
City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione confirmed that the closure was due to a rodent infestation. While the AMC website attributes the temporary closure to “unforeseen maintenance,” Wallace-Scalcione revealed that the theater had been cited for multiple violations, including the presence of rats and various entry points that allowed for the rodents to infiltrate the facility.
As part of the citation, the theater is required to pay a $100 inspection fee after rectifying the violations. The property must also undergo weekly extermination to prevent future infestations.
An official from the Jersey City AMC theater could not be reached for comment, and corporate representatives for AMC Theaters have also remained silent on the issue. Newport Centre mall officials have not responded to inquiries.
A follow-up health inspection is slated for Friday, Sept. 29. The inspection will decide the course of action depending on whether the infractions have been resolved, according to Wallace-Scalcione.
The AMC theater at Newport Centre is one of only two remaining cinemas in Hudson County, the other being the 14-screen Kerasotes Showplace in Secaucus.