Carmel Cinema Set to Close

Hundreds of community members have signed a Change.org petition urging Regency Centers to renew the lease for Carmel Cinema – the last remaining movie theater in Putnam County.

The petition, started by concerned residents, comes after confirmation that the theater is set to close, reportedly due to the landlord’s decision not to renew its lease.

“The theater is a lifeline for everyone in Carmel, giving us something to do on rainy days and hot summer evenings,” states the petition. “It’s a popular hub every weekend and Tuesday for our children and our senior citizens. It provides school trips and children’s birthday parties.”

Last week on Facebook, Carmel Cinema – located in the Shop-Rite plaza on Route 52 – confirmed the dreaded rumor, announcing that its last day will be Thursday, May 29.

Comments flooded the announcement, including: “You provided a warm location for family and friends to meet and have fun and make memories in our community,” and “this is so disappointing to hear, it was such a nice simple local theater for the kids to go to.”

For decades, Carmel Cinema has been a vital gathering space for locals, hosting everything from school field trips to $5 senior nights. Residents fear its closure will not only erase a beloved cultural space, but also harm the surrounding plaza businesses that rely on its foot traffic.

Petition signers are calling on Regency Centers to preserve one of the town’s last sources of accessible entertainment.

To sign the petition, visit www.change.org/CarmelCinema.