Great Oaks Cinema closes in Wadsworth

WADSWORTH — After more than 40 years in business, Wadsworth's Great Oaks Cinema announced this week it has permanently closed. The theater, at 251 Great Oaks Trail, was opened in 1977 and became known over the years for its large red theater double-doors covered with red leather that aimed to take customers back to bygone eras. First-run movies continued to be shown until Great Oaks shut down in March following COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. It was the second theater in Wadsworth opened by Gary Greive, who passed away in 2018. He purchased downtown's The Strand in 1960 before remodeling it for a reopening two years later and acquiring Akron's Lyn Theater in 1971. In the few years following the opening of Great Oaks, Greive bought Wadsworth's Blue Sky Drive-In Theater and Barberton's Magic City Drive-In Theater. He also operated the West Theater and Lake 8 Movies in Barberton. Current Great Oaks Cinema ownership could not be reached but stated on Facebook that anyone interested in purchasing the theater can contact them at (330)336-1100. COVID-19 has presented great difficulties for smaller theaters as well as large chains. Gov. Mike DeWine gave all indoor theaters clearance to reopen on June 10 but companies like Regal Cinema have elected to wait. Regal is set to reopen its theaters July 10 while Cinemark has announced it will begin welcoming customers again in three phases between July 3 and July 17. Atlas Cinemas is currently the only indoor chain in the region that has reopened. In April, reports surfaced that AMC Theaters was $4.9 billion in debt and considering bankruptcy but company statements since then have been cautiously optimistic for making it through the shutdown without filing Chapter 11. Contact reporter Jonathan Delozier at (330)721-4050 or jdelozier@medina-gazette.com.