It's Curtains: Criterion Cinemas Closes For Good After Last Oct. Show

NEW HAVEN, CT — The owner of Bow Tie Criterion Cinemas on Temple Street downtown said the final film screening on Oct. 12 will be the theater's last.

Bow Tie Partners, owner of Temple Square, at 80 Temple Street in downtown New Haven, said it's "pursuing a redevelopment" of the space.

"Criterion Cinemas will permanently close after its evening shows on Thursday, Oct. 12," the announcement reads. "Criterion Cinemas opened in 2004 and has proudly entertained the people of New Haven for almost 20 years."

The pandemic is blamed for the shuttering.

"Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic caused dramatic changes to the movie theater business in markets such as New Haven, and as a result, the business is no longer viable," Bow Tie Partners wrote in a news release.

"Bow Tie Partners plans to remain part of the downtown New Haven community and is currently evaluating multiple scenarios for redevelopment of the movie theater space, several of which include new entertainment offerings," the release reads. "Temple Square Apartments will continue to operate unchanged and may benefit from conversion of portions of the former movie theater space into additional amenities."

Ben Moss, CEO of Bow Tie Partners, said "loyal customers" have seen more than 2,000 films there.

"We offer our sincere thanks and appreciation to all of our loyal customers," Moss said. “We are very much looking forward to remaining a part of the vibrant and exciting downtown New Haven business community and look forward to announcing our future plans when we have finished our analysis of alternative uses.”