Towne Cinemas - Flushing MI

Address: G-5380 W. Pierson Road
City: Flushing
State: MI
Zip: 48433
County: Genesee
Open: 1980
Capacity: 1300 (4 Screens)
Owner History: Butterfield Theatres
Theater Type: Shopping Center - Early Multiplex
Number of visits to this page: 6939
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:

In 1980, Butterfield Theatres opened the Towne Cinemas at G-5380 W. Pierson Road in Mt. Morris Township (just outside Flint) on land that Butterfield was planning to develop a twin drive-in theater in the early 1970’s before township officials vetoed the redevelopment. It had four screens seating a total of over 1,300.

The layout was described as an east coast concept in which the auditoriums were laid out back to back instead of straight across. This layout allowed for future expansion (which never happened). It also had a platter system for projection so each auditorium had only one projector. Films were shown at staggered times to avoid congestion.

Unfortunately, the Towne for most of its existence as a cinema was relegated to showing second-run films and couldn’t compete with National Amusements (whose Showcase Cinemas in Burton also opened in 1980) for major first run releases. Butterfield sold this theater (along with most of its other theaters) to Kerasotes Theatres in 1984. When Kerasotes eventually settled a legal dispute with National Amusements concerning booking of first run films, it allowed the Kerasotes-owned Genesee Valley Cinemas to show first-run films at the same time as National Amusements Cinemas in Burton. This relegated the Towne Cinemas to permanent second-run status.

Popular demand prevented Kerasotes from closing the Towne Cinemas which became a bargain-price second run theater. National Amusements bought out Kerasotes Flint area operations in the early 1990’s. They closed the Towne Cinemas after making the Genesee Valley Cinemas a second-run house and eventually built the Showcase Cinemas Flint West.The Towne Cinemas was sold and became the Judah Full Gospel Baptist Church. [Cinema Treasures] Charles Van Bibber

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Info Updates:
7/23/2008 - Unknown
At some point, the Towne Cinemas was own and operated by National Amusements.
6/20/2007 - Paula
The first movie I ever saw technically was at this theater. Unfortunately, theaters and three year olds don't mix well. A year later the first movie I sat quietly through was at Showcase East. The last film I remember seeing here was My Girl in 1991. It would be nice if this was a theater still. However, I am just glad it is standing.
7/3/2005 - Unknown
In 1985, George Kerasotes Corporation was formed by George Kerasotes, breaking away from Kerasotes Theatres and GKC Theatres took over the Michigan operations of Kerasotes Theatres.
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Towne Cinemas - June 2021
June 2021
Towne Cinemas - June 2021
June 2021
Towne Cinemas - June 2021
June 2021
Towne Cinemas - June 2021
June 2021
Towne Cinemas - June 2021
June 2021
Towne Cinemas - Recent Pic
Recent Pic
Towne Cinemas - Recent Pic
Recent Pic
Towne Cinemas - Recent Pic
Recent Pic
Towne Cinemas - Recent Pic
Recent Pic
Towne Cinemas - Recent Pic
Recent Pic
Towne Cinemas - 1997 Article On Flint Area Multiplexes
1997 Article On Flint Area Multiplexes
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