CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. — Montgomery County’s only movie theater will not reopen after health inspectors found widespread mold throughout the building.
Inspectors from the Montgomery County Health Department discovered visible mold blooms in all eight theaters during an inspection Aug. 24 at AMC Classic Crawfordsville 8, located at 205 Dry Branch Road. That’s southeast of the intersection of U.S. 231 and state roads 32 and 47 in south Crawfordsville.
Health Officer Dr. Scott K. Douglas determined the mold growth was a public health risk. Officials issued an “Order to Comply” on Aug. 24, requiring the theater to take corrective actions before it could serve the public again.
Following the order, AMC Theatres decided to shutter the location for good rather than perform the repairs.
“AMC has made the difficult decision to permanently close AMC CLASSIC Crawfordsville 8,” AMC spokesperson Cassie Kennard said in a statement issued Wednesday. “We are grateful to our guests in the Crawfordsville community for their support over the years and to our theatre associates for their dedication and service.”
Kennard noted in the statement that the company is giving employees at the theater the chance to transfer to other AMC locations. The property is currently for sale.
Social media posts about the closing centered heavily on shock, disgust, and dark humor regarding the severe mold.
The site opened in the late 1990s as Capri 8, part of the GKC Theatres chain. Carmike Cinamas took it over in 2005. AMC took over Carmike in 2016.
Crawfordsville Mayor Todd Barton said in a statement issued Wednesday that the city respects the company’s decision to close the facility since reopening in a “sustainable” way was not feasible.
“Ensuring the health and safety of the public is of paramount importance in matters such as this,” the Republican mayor said. “We are a growing community, and I have the utmost confidence local market demand will result in another business seizing the opportunity to operate a theater in Crawfordsville.”
The last eight movies shown at the theaters, according to online listings: “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” horror film “Insidious: Out of the Further,” “The Odyssey,” animated sequel “PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie,” dinosaur thriller “The End of Oak Street,” action thriller “Mutiny,” and comedy/drama “Spa Weekend.”
Montgomery County, with 37,936 residents, is about a 50-minute drive northwest of downtown Indianapolis.
