Barrie Uptown Theater facts for kids
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| Former names | Imperial 8 Cinema |
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| Address | 55 Dunlop Street West Barrie, Ontario L4N 1A3 |
| Coordinates | 44°23′18″N 79°41′30″W / 44.388434°N 79.691774°W |
| Public transit | 5A, 5B, 8B |
| Opened | 1937 |
The Barrie Uptown Theater was a movie theater located in downtown Barrie, Ontario, Canada. It was also known by its earlier name, Imperial 8 Cinema. This building was first built in 1937 and became a popular spot for watching movies. It was also home to the Barrie Film Festival for many years.
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A Look Back at the Theater's History
The Barrie Uptown Theater has a long and interesting past. It started as a single, large movie room.
Early Days as Imperial 8 Cinema
When it first opened in 1937, the theater was a grand place. It had one huge screen and comfy velvet seats. There was even a large balcony upstairs for more viewers. Ushers, who were like guides, helped people find their seats with flashlights. This cinema was part of a company called Stinson Theatres.
Challenges and Reopening
Over the years, the theater changed. It eventually had 8 screens, though only 5 were used in its later years. In February 2009, the Imperial 8 Cinema had to close. This was because of problems with the building, not enough parking, and fewer people buying tickets.
However, the story didn't end there! A local businessman named Mark Porter bought the theater. He reopened it on November 27, 2009. It was given a new name: the 'Barrie Uptown Theatre'. New features were added, like a licensed bar and reclining seats, to make movie-watching even better.
The Final Chapter
In December 2014, the owner, Mark Porter, announced he wanted to sell the building. Developers bought the property to build something new. The theater showed its last regular movies on October 31, 2019.
Even after closing for regular movies, the Barrie Film Festival still planned to use the theater for a while. However, the theater officially closed its doors for good in 2021.
