HomeMovie TheatersShowcase Cinemas Sterling Heights

Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Sterling Heights MI

Address: 35100 Van Dyke
City: Sterling Heights
State: MI
Zip: 48312
County: Macomb
Open: 1974
Capacity:
Owner History: National Amusements / Redstone
Theater Type: Shopping Center - Early Multiplex
Number of visits to this page: 26123
Disclaimer:

Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance, features, addresses, phone numbers, or contact names of the attraction. This site is intended to be a historical as well as current record of various attractions but it is not always possible to have up-to-date information due to the vast number of locations featured here. We ask you consult the propietor for current information.

General Information:

This site was eventually the home of MJR Marketplace Cinema 20. The MJR complex was a brand new build on the same lot. It was successful which pretty much proves National Amusements just gave up too soon.

Source: Detroit News

Thats a wrap for Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights movie theater to close on Sunday By Mike Wowk / The Detroit News STERLING HEIGHTS —

The Showcase Cinemas, a fixture at 15 Mile and Van Dyke for 30 years, will close its doors permanently after the last show Sunday night, an apparent casualty of larger and more up-to-date movie theaters nearby. No decision has been made on what will happen to the building and parking lot that houses the 15-screen theater complex, said Jennifer Hanson, a spokeswoman for National Amusements of Dedham, Mass., its owner. “The property is on the market, and we’ve been in general talks with a few prospective buyers,” Hanson said, “but (there’s) nothing definitive yet.”

Joe Simmons is one regular customer who said he will miss the Showcase theater. Although he lives in Fort Wayne, Ind., Simmons works for a carnival that sets up next door to the Sterling Heights theater for one week each year. The carnival, Mid-America Shows, is there again this week. And Simmons, as he has done each of the past several years that he’s in town, sees movies at the Showcase Cinemas with friends in his spare time. “They charge (only) $5.50 if you go in before 6 p.m, and a lot of theaters don’t do that,” Simmons said. “They show new movies. I’m going to miss it.”

The Showcase complex opened as a five-screen theater in 1974. At least two nearby single-screen theaters in Sterling Heights closed a few years later. Showcase added 10 screens between 1974 and 1988, Hanson said. But business dropped off sharply after the opening in November 1999 of the AMC Forum 30, a 30-screen theater at Hall and Mound in Sterling Heights. Features at the AMC complex include stadium seating, in which seats are banked more steeply than in a traditional auditorium. “We’ve seen our patrons become used to the high-end amenities found in (newer) movie theaters,” Hanson said. She blamed the closing on “declining economics.” The roughly 40 part-time and full-time employees of the Showcase complex in Sterling Heights will be offered jobs at the chain’s other Metro Detroit theaters, Hanson said.

Info Updates:
11/10/2022 - Sarah B
Cinema treasures page http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/67957
9/26/2005 - Detroit News
Cinema razed to make way for growth Sterling Hts. officials hope 60-acre mixed-use development will be social hub of area. By Lanetta J. Williams / The Detroit News STERLING HEIGHTS -- Crews began razing the 30-year-old Showcase Cinemas at the corner of 15 Mile and Van Dyke two weeks ago to make room for a new theater, condominium and retail development. The city hopes the $100 million project will help liven the area and breathe new life into Van Dyke. Dan Bishop, Sterling Heights development director and assistant city manager, said the mixed-use development will bring more retailers to Van Dyke and add 72 condominiums. "I think its a significant, positive impact in the area," Bishop said. "Its showing a significant investment in our community -- in a corridor that needs the investment." The 60-acre property being developed by Market Place Properties LLC, whose main partners include Roncelli Inc. and Macomb County developer Guy Rizzo, already features a 101,000-square-foot Target store, LaSalle Bank and Ruby Tuesday restaurant. "The south end of Sterling Heights has displayed a need for redevelopment and we looked at the corner and determined it was a viable corner for that development," said Hank Riberas, director of real estate and business development for Roncelli. "Thus far, it has proven to be the right decision." In the spring, the company completed 22,000 square feet of retail space for a Cold Stone Creamery, Authorized Cellular, Baja Fresh, Achatz Handmade Pie Co., Bellacinos Pizza & Grinders, BoRics Hair Care, Country Inn restaurant, GNC and HNR Block, most of which have already opened, Riberas said. A 37,000-square-foot recreational outfitters store selling billiard tables and game room equipment also will open soon. Riberas said the stores, which have only been open a few months are doing well. "Once the theater opens, I think even greater success is in store because it will bring a considerable amount of foot traffic on the weekends," he said. "People will able to have dinner and a movie." At the north end of the development near Brougham, 72 condominiums called Walden Estates are about halfway near completion with reservations for most of the condos that range in price from $140,000 to $200,000. Developers expect the stacked, ranch condos to open for occupancy by the end of the year. Replacing Showcase will be a new theater, MJR -- a 20-screen, 82,000-square-foot theater with a state-of-the-art audio system and 4,200 stadium-style seats -- being built in the shadow of Showcase, a 15-screen theater complex that had been a fixture in Sterling Heights. Martin Wintrode of Warren didnt know about the project until he stopped to pick up items at Target last week. He said while hes excited to see another theater replace Showcase, which closed in April 2004, he was sad to see Showcase shuttered. "I was sad to see it close," said Wintrode, 63, who lives a mile from the development. "It was some place we could go to real quick without driving too far. ... But more retail has never hurt anything and getting the theater back will help." The second phase of the project is expected to kick into gear next spring with an additional 100,000 square feet of retail space and an additional 100 condominiums, Riberas said. He said the project is ahead of schedule and the theater is expected to open by Thanksgiving. The site will include a grand boulevard entering off Van Dyke with specialty shops, clothing stores and additional restaurants that will be a destination for residents and visitors. "I think it shows that you can be creative as far as developments and if developers are able to think outside the box, you can have excellent projects that add to the community and to the developer," Bishop said.
12/17/2004 - Macomb Daily
15 Mile and Van Dyke to be site of theater complex once again PUBLISHED: November 30, 2004 By Dan Heaton Macomb Daily Business Editor Long a destination for Macomb County movie-goers, the corner of 15 Mile Road and Van Dyke will be getting a new 20-screen cinema in 2005 as part of a $250 million redevelopment project planned by two local builders. The former Showcase Cinema on the northeast corner of the intersection will be demolished to make way for a new cinema, a retail center and restaurants. The northeast corner of the 60-acre parcel under development there will dedicated to condominiums. The 15-screen Showcase Cinema closed on that location in April. The property is being developed by an investment and development company, Market Place Properties, owned by Gary Roncelli and Guy Rizzo, both longtime developers in and around Macomb County. In fact, the same developers constructed the original 5-screen Showcase Cinema that opened on that same corner in 1974. The centerpiece of the new development will be a 20-screen state of the art cinema complex to be operated by Oak Park-based MJR Theatres. MJR also operates the recently-expanded Chesterfield Crossing Cinema in Chesterfield Township. Mike Mihalich, president and owner of MJR, said the new 81,000-square foot cinema will have seating capacity for more than 4,200 people and all the latest amenities. "This new theater will have digital sound, large curved screens and high-back rocking chairs with loveseat-type armrests," he said. All of the auditoriums will have stadium-style seating. "We are presenting our plans to the city now," said Hank Riberas, director of real estate for Roncelli and Rizzo. In addition to the new theater, the project calls for: An additional 21,500 square feet of retail space to be added to an existing retail strip that includes a Target store, a new Standard Federal Bank and a Ruby Tuesday restaurant. Part of the new space is already pre-leased to BoRics, Authorized Cellular and Baja Fresh. Construction of 125 condos, which are expected to start in price "just below $200,000." Construction of another 40,000-plus square feet of retail/dining space that will front 15 Mile Road. Riberas said he would expect the new theater to open around Thanksgiving 2005. He said the condos would be under construction at about the same time as the theatre, once the city permits are in place. The company is already working on 72 condos just to the north of Brougham Avenue, the first street north of 15 Mile Road that intersects Van Dyke. The newly proposed condos would be south of Brougham. "Believe it or not, weve already gotten a few calls on these condos, so I think thats a good indication that there is demand in that area," Riberas said. The Showcase Cinema was a Macomb County destination for years. It was among the first multi-screen cinemas in the area. By 1980, it had been expanded several times and had 10 screens. By the time it closed, however, cinemas of 10 or more screens had sprouted up around the area, many of which featured upgraded sound and other systems that were well ahead of what existed at the Showcase.
12/1/2004 - Detroit Free Press
Big plan in works for old Sterling Heights cinema November 30, 2004 BY ALEXA CAPELOTO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER Seven months after Showcase Cinemas closed its doors in Sterling Heights, developers are hoping to build a state-of-the-art movie theater in its spot, along with restaurants, retail stores and 125 new condominiums. The ambitious plan would transform the northeast corner of 15 Mile and Van Dyke, where Target now reigns, into a one-stop development for living, shopping and dining. The rezoning and site plans still need approval from the city, but City Planner Don Mende likes what he has heard so far. "It sounds great," Mende said. "It seems to fit with the master plan as far as redeveloping a lot of the older commercial areas." Aging suburbs like Sterling Heights are increasingly relying on such mixed-use lifestyle centers to recharge their retail base. Last week, the Warren City Council approved plans to build a $400-million mecca of homes, offices and shops on vacant land near the General Motors Technical Center. At the Sterling Heights site, Market Place Properties LLC already owns 36 acres and is buying 25 more, said company spokesman Hank Riberas. Target is considering an expansion. BoRics Haircare, Baja Fresh and Authorized Cellular want to move in, as does MJR Theatres, which owns four movie theaters in metro Detroit. The 81,000-square-foot theater would have 20 auditoriums with digital sound, curved screens, stadium-style seating and high-back rocking chairs with movable armrests. It would be a far cry from the 15-screen Showcase, which had few upgrades in its 30 years and closed in April amid dwindling ticket sales. "This will be a very, very nice theater with all the modern amenities," said Mike Mihalich, MJRs owner and president. Still, movie night at the megaplex is a long way off. Market Place Properties, co-owned by Gary Roncelli and Guy Rizzo, needs city approval to rezone the property for residential use. The citys Planning Commission also must approve the companys site plans. Jaki Romanchuk, who lives a half-mile east of the center, said she likes the idea of new stores filling the empty space at the ailing site, but worries about the theater and condos. "The whole thing just sounds overwhelming," said the medical transcriptionist. "I wouldnt mind seeing more stores, but my main concern as a resident is what its going to do to traffic." Sterling Heights is updating its master plan to include ideas like mixed-use space for development. The corner of Van Dyke and 15 Mile is one of six sites that could be drastically redeveloped in that vein, according to city leaders.
4/21/2003 - WaterWinterWonderland
Current ticket prices as of 4/2003: 7.75 General Admission (12 & up; after 6PM pricing) 5.25 Children 2 - 11 and Seniors 60 and up always 5.25 Bargain Matinee (all persons; shows before 6PM) House counts are as follows: 1- 250/2 - 250/3 - 250/4 - 355/5 - 325/6 - 300/7 - 300/8 - 340/9 - 340/10 - 335/11 - 315/12 - 325/13 - 325/14 - 440/15 - 475
 Photos:67
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - April 2004
April 2004
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - April 2004
April 2004
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Kim Connel
Demo From Kim Connel
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - From Kim Connel
From Kim Connel
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Kim Connel
Demo From Kim Connel
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Kim Connel
Demo From Kim Connel
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggsl
Demo From Scott Biggsl
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Demo From Scott Biggs
Demo From Scott Biggs
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Front Entrance
Front Entrance
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Marqueejpg
Marqueejpg
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Marqueejpg
Marqueejpg
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Ferris Wheel With Theatre
Ferris Wheel With Theatre
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Marquee
Marquee
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Concession
Concession
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Concession
Concession
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Lobby
Lobby
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - The Demolition Begins
The Demolition Begins
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Farewell Marquee From Kim Connell
Farewell Marquee From Kim Connell
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Old Marquee From Ron Wittebols
Old Marquee From Ron Wittebols
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Old Marquee From Ron Wittebols
Old Marquee From Ron Wittebols
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Ron Changing The Marquee From Ron Wittebols
Ron Changing The Marquee From Ron Wittebols
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Front
Front
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Marquee
Marquee
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Dan Leyten And Tom Lamb Between Theaters 9 10 In The Main Lobby Circa 92-93 Photo By Scott Zambelli
Dan Leyten And Tom Lamb Between Theaters 9 10 In The Main Lobby Circa 92-93 Photo By Scott Zambelli
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Lobby
Lobby
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Auditorium
Auditorium
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Concession
Concession
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Auditorium
Auditorium
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Paul And Ron Changing The Marquee From Ron Wittebols
Paul And Ron Changing The Marquee From Ron Wittebols
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Ron In Front From Ron Wittebols
Ron In Front From Ron Wittebols
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Projectionist Walt Kowalczyk From Ron Wittebols
Projectionist Walt Kowalczyk From Ron Wittebols
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Packing Up From Kim Connell
Packing Up From Kim Connell
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Empty From Kim Connell
Empty From Kim Connell
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Empty From Kim Connell
Empty From Kim Connell
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Empty From Kim Connell
Empty From Kim Connell
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Thanks From Kim Connell
Thanks From Kim Connell
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - 1974-09-27 Ad
1974-09-27 Ad
Showcase Cinemas Sterling Heights - Old Ad
Old Ad
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