A Boston movie theater has closed its doors for good

"While we did everything we could to adjust to the constant challenges of the pandemic, ultimately it was not enough to remain open."

Showplace ICON Theatre in Boston's Seaport neighborhood. Barry Chin/Globe Staff

March 15, 2021

The credits have rolled for the final time at a local movie theater.

The ShowPlace ICON Theatre in Boston’s Seaport neighborhood closed its doors permanently on Monday after more than three years in business at 60 Seaport Blvd.

According to a joint statement from parent company Kerasotes ShowPlace Theatres and building owner WS Development, the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic was the ultimate deciding factor in the theater closing.

“Due to the economic impact of the pandemic and despite collaborative efforts from both WS Development and Kerasotes ShowPlace Theatres to avoid such, it has been mutually agreed between both parties that Kerasotes ShowPlace Theatre will no longer operate the theatre at The Seaport,” the statement read. “WS Development will be evaluating next steps and timelines for the theatre in the near future.”

First opened in January 2018, ShowPlace ICON gave the Seaport a luxury theater that catered to an older, upscale crowd with adults-only screenings, a full service restaurant and bar, and elevated concessions like gourmet popcorn flavors designed by local chefs.

ShowPlace ICON was one of the theaters that reopened last summer when pandemic restrictions were temporarily loosened in Massachusetts, and the theater played host to in-person screenings for the Boston Film Festival in September 2020.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announced that effective immediately the ShowPlace ICON Theatre at the Seaport is closed permanently,” read a statement from the theater shared by the Fort Pointer Twitter account. “While we did everything we could to adjust to the constant challenges of the pandemic, ultimately it was not enough to remain open.”

Saddened to learn that our cherished Showplace ICON theater in Seaport has closed permanently.

Thank you, Kerasotes family and @ShowPlaceICON team, for years of work creating a wonderfully accessible, truly world class venue. pic.twitter.com/XzLPNivSOJ

— The Fort Pointer (@FortPointer) March 15, 2021

ShowPlace ICON isn’t the only theater that has permanently shuttered as a result of the pandemic. In February, the New Hampshire-based Cinemagic theater chain announced it would close all eight of its locations, including its two Massachusetts cinemas in Salisbury and Sturbridge.