CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The 10-screen AMC theater at Governor’s Square Mall is closing at the end of this weekend, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the end of movies at the mall.

According to a sign on the door of the AMC Classic Governor’s Square 10, the theater will have its last day of screenings on Sunday, August 25th.

AMC Theaters confirmed the closure to Clarksville Now. “We thank our guests at Governor’s Square for their loyalty and have greatly appreciated the community’s support,” said Cassie Nichols, AMC’s media relations manager.

Joe Bell, director of corporate communications for mall owner Cafaro Company, said AMC’s lease ends in September.

However, Bell told Clarksville Now that the mall is in negotiations for a new operator. “We are in talks with a movie theater operator that has a very good reputation and will be very popular in the area,” he said. The name of the operator has not been disclosed, but Bell said an announcement will be made soon.

A new cinema would fit well with the new Dave & Busters arcade complex, which is scheduled to open in the coming months at Governors’ Square Mall.

Battle of the Theatres

The mall’s movie theater is the oldest still operating in Clarksville. For several years it was a 5-screen theater owned by Carmike, who also owned the 8-screen theater in Tradewinds Plaza on Madison Street.

In 2003, a new 16-screen movie theater called the Great Escape opened near Exit 1, which, according to Leaf-Chronicle archives, featured stadium seating. This prompted the mall to double its capacity in 2005 and become Carmike 10, also adding stadium seating. It later became an AMC theater.

The once popular Madison Street Carmike switched to discount seating in 2004 and closed permanently in 2008.

In recent years, Great Escape has become Regal and moved to reserved club-style seating while the mall’s AMC theater has struggled to keep up.

Chris Smith contributed to this report.

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