Family-Owned Detroit Area Movie House Closing Down After 40 Years

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, MI — The Romeo Theatre in Macomb County is closing down next month after 40 years, owners said Sunday.

The family-owned movie house, located on Van Dyke Avenue in Washington Township, will permanently shut down sometime in mid-September.

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The family said they are "heartbroken" to share the news.

"We had hoped our 40th year would be more celebratory, but we are grateful for the years we spent bringing entertainment to the community while staying true to our focus on family values," the owners said in a social media post.

The family pointed to several factors for the closing, including a year-long shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.

They also pointed to actors' and writers' strikes, which left them with limited film availability for the next 18 months.

"We worked hard to regain financial stability, but today's economic realities have been too great for our small family theatre to overcome," the family said.

The family thanked the property owners for helping them stay alive through the years.

However, they said business has not returned to pre-covid levels, especially since moviegoers' habits have shifted toward streaming and premium on-demand options.

A new business will take over the space, but it will not be a movie theater, the family said.

"We deeply appreciate our customers, whose support has meant so much to us," the family said in the post. "Many have come to feel like family, and we are grateful for the wonderful people and families we have met over the years."

The theater will still show a few scheduled movies before the closing.

"These are very difficult times for us right now, but perhaps someday we will pop up around the community with our popcorn machine, offering delicious Romeo Theatre Popcorn-To-Go," the family said in the post.