Plans Afoot To Reopen Long-Closed Pittsburgh-Area Movie Theater

MT. LEBANON, PA —Plans are afoot to reopen a movie theater that's been closed for nearly two decades.

Row House Cinema and The Denis Theatre Foundation have announced a collaboration to bring film and arts entertainment to the Denis, located on Washington Road in the heart of the Mt. Lebanon business district. The foundation and Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville, will seek funding to rebuild and reopen the theater.

Upon renovation of the now-empty building, The Denis will lease the facility to Row House Cinema to operate a state-of-the-art, three-screen theater, restaurant.

and bar in the heart of Mt. Lebanon’s business district.Brian Mendelssohn, owner of Row House Cinema, and Jon Delano, president of The Denis Theatre Foundation and KDKA-TV's political analyst, hailed the partnership as a “win-win” for residents of the South Hills and both organizations.

“Brian and his team bring an exceptional leadership style to film and entertainment in this region, and we are delighted to partner with him so that residents throughout the South Hills and on the T-line can enjoy a unique experience at The Denis,” Delano said in a release.

Said Mendelssohn: “We are thrilled to be involved with this project and intend to make The Denis a unique and exciting entertainment destination that will strengthen the regional film scene.” said Mendelssohn. “Lawrenceville and Mt. Lebanon have different personalities, and we look forward to developing programming in the South Hills that will fit its unique venue.”

Under the arrangement, The Denis Theatre Foundation will have use of The Denis for special programming for young and old, cultural arts discussions, and the wide variety of panel discussions The Denis has sponsored in recent years often in collaboration with diverse community groups.

To make this happen, said Delano, construction money will need to be raised by the nonprofit foundation that purchased the building in 2010 and will continue to own the building. Rowhouse will lease the space.

“The Denis will need full community, foundation, business, and governmental support for this project, and we are grateful to Row House for their pledge of a substantial contribution,” said Delano. “This is really our chance to reopen a theater and cultural arts center in the heart of the South Hills.”

The release did not mention how much money needs to be raised or provide an indication of when the theater might reopen.