If you want to catch a flick at the Capitol 6, it’s now or never.
Empire Company Ltd. confirmed Wednesday its Victoria flagship movie multiplex, which opened as a glitzy new Famous Players theatre in 1981 at Yates and Blanshard streets, will close after its last picture show tonight.
Staff were informed Tuesday night about the shutdown of the multiplex, said Andrew Walker, vice-president of communications and corporate affairs for Sobeys Inc.
“We plan to realize the real estate value for the property at some point in the future,” he said.
Developer David Chard, who owns the back parking lot at 819 Yates St., said a theatre wasn’t in his plans.
“We’re proceeding with our own residential project with retail at grade that would front onto Yates and onto View,” he said.
Rumours about the potential date of the time-worn cinema’s shutdown have escalated since June 27, when the Nova Scotia-based owner of Sobeys and Thrifty Foods announced it was getting out of film exhibition to focus on its grocery unit.
Tenants, including Victoria Film Festival administration and EasyHome, won’t be immediately affected, Walker said.
“There are no plans to terminate the leases to these tenants,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the theatre will not be able to be used as a screening venue [for the film festival].”
Empire Capitol 6 wasn’t one of the 20 theatres in Ontario and Western Canada that Empire sold to Landmark Cinemas in June. As part of that deal, Calgary-based Landmark will soon assume ownership of Empire’s University Heights 4 in Saanich.
The shutdown of the Capitol 6 leaves downtown with eight screens — seven at Cineplex Odeon and one at the Vic Theatre at Douglas and Humboldt streets, recently reopened by Victoria Film Festival.
Local movie buffs were reeling from the news Wednesday.
“I’m still processing it. It’s a huge blow to my moviegoing life,” said online film critic Jason Whyte.
“The place had character, heart and wonderful staff who loved movies. It was just a cool place to go. I liked the 1980s vibe.”
Anyone expecting Cineplex Entertainment to open a new megaplex there would be dreaming in Technicolor. When Cineplex Galaxy acquired Famous Players from Viacom Inc. in 2005, an agreement with Canada’s commissioner of competition required Cineplex to divest itself of 34 theatres.
“Victoria has been and continues to be an important market for Cineplex,” said Pat Marshall, vice-president communications and investor relations.
“We have always greatly appreciated the local support for our Cineplex Odeon, SilverCity Victoria and Westshore cinemas.”
While the Odeon has shown Victoria Film Festival entries, Empire Capitol 6 has been its major sponsoring venue for 15 years.
Film festival director Kathy Kay expressed concern about the shutdown’s impact.
“We don’t know when the final axe is going to fall [on their existing office arrangement],” said Kay, adding she planned to approach Cineplex.
“We would be happy to discuss the needs of organizations such as the Victoria Film Festival,” Marshall said.
Describing the shutdown as “the end of an era for entertainment downtown,” Ken Kelly, general manager of the Downtown Victoria Business Association, said the upside is that it opens doors for new opportunities.
“We’ll work with any owners to reinforce the appeal of that very key corner,” he said.
While Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin also lamented the loss, he said increased local investment bodes well for the site’s future.
“I’m confident a sequel will be coming,” he said.
mreid@timescolonist.com
