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Atlantic Edwards Theater to be Demolished

Although the Edwards Theater on Atlantic Boulevard is now known for its discount-priced movie tickets, it was once hailed as one of the first multiplexes in Los Angeles and contains a rich history that dates back over 70 years.

Despite being one of the oldest movie theaters in Alhambra, the Edwards Atlantic has been planned for demolition on July 1.

“With the newer movie theaters nearby, I don’t think it will be missed,” senior Marcelo Flores said. “[But] one of my greatest memories [at] the theater is lining up with my family to watch the first Spiderman.”

In 1939, James Edwards III purchased the theater on Atlantic Boulevard for $400, adding to his ownership of several other movie theaters around Monterey Park.

As movies with audio became more and more popular, business thrived, so Edwards bought another property next door in order to expand the theater.

This cinema on Atlantic Boulevard was then damaged by an earthquake in 1987 and Edwards rebuilt a new structure; this structure became the flagship of his theater franchise.

In 2000, three years after Edwards’ death, Edwards Cinema filed for bankruptcy, and their theaters were acquired by the Regal Entertainment Group.

In 2002, when the Edwards Renaissance on Main Street was constructed, more and more customers flocked to the modern theater and ticket sales plummeted for the Atlantic location.

After July, Alhambra’s oldest movie theater will be replaced by a new government office building. The parking structure for the theater, however, will remain.

“It’s a little sad that the building will be taken down, but it’s very old,” senior Jasmine Orozco said. “If the movie theater will be replaced with an office that provides jobs, it [may] actually [be] a good thing.”

延伸閱讀: The Edwards Atlantic: Alhambra's oldest movie theater soon to be history