Metro Vancouver theatre to be replaced by retail space sparking anger

A community is trying to come together to save a theatre in Metro Vancouver, but it is likely too little, too late.

Hollywood 3, located in Pitt Meadows (and yes, Pitt Meadows is indeed part of Metro Vancouver Regional District), could soon be closed forever, and a petition launched to save it suggests the plans are to turn it into a Dollarama.

Hollywood 3 is located in the Meadowvale Shopping Centre, and the petition is hailing it as a cornerstone of the community.

“For many of us, it is not just a place to watch movies; it is a cherished landmark where we have created countless memories with our loved ones,” the petition notes.

The petition currently has over 3,500 signatures, but as manager Sarah Hargitt-Rowe tells Daily Hive, efforts to keep the Metro Vancouver theatre alive may be in vain. She has also been led to believe that a Dollarama will take the theatre’s place.

“Hollywood 3 is 100 per cent shutting down on June 29 regardless of the community’s efforts to try for heritage status and petitions,” she said.

She told Daily Hive that even emails to Dollarama and Bentall Green Oak (BDO), the developer that is taking over the space, “are falling on deaf ears.”

As Hargitt-Rowe says, it might be a reflection on the industry.

“The movie business is unfortunately not what it once was, so even if the community were to help us stay here, I think the longevity of it won’t work out due to everything being streamed or on TV subscription services,” she said.

“Gone are the days when families or couples or singles come in to enjoy a film on the big screen.”

One of the petition signees wrote, “What an absolute shame it’d be to lose Hollywood 3 Cinema to make way for yet another Dollarama store. You can’t replace memories and joy with overly mass-produced items.”

The Dollarama has yet to be confirmed, but according to everyone we spoke to, that seems to be the plan for now. She also points the finger at one particularly cruel culprit.

“COVID killed us, and it’s been an uphill battle since.”

She said that the owners have owned it for 15 years and that, as sad as the loss is, she thinks it’s better for everyone to part ways. Still, the news of the theatre closing was abrupt and a bit of a shock for Hargitt-Rowe.

“I didn’t know the theatre was closing personally until June 6,” she said.

“I understood it would not be too much longer for everyone, but I had absolutely no idea I would be given three weeks’ notice to find a new job.”

While she thanks the community for trying to fight for Hollywood 3’s survival, she says that there’s a time to cut your losses, and that time seems to be now.

Hargitt-Rowe is still dealing with sadness and anger herself.

“This theatre has been a huge part of my life. I’ve worked here for over a decade. It’s not easy to pack up and move on when so much effort and love have been poured into keeping the business alive.”

She adds that she doesn’t know where she or her employees will go from here, but they’ll all figure it out eventually, “and the sadness and anger will subside.”

We asked if the government or City of Pitt Meadows could do anything about it at this point, but she doesn’t think it’s possible.

“Minimum wage and growing costs of the economy don’t give small cinemas a chance, and there is no government funding to keep small businesses alive month after month.”

We did ask the City of Pitt Meadows for its thoughts on the theatre closing and received a statement from Pitt Meadows Mayor Nicole MacDonald.

“We share the community’s disappointment in the closure of this long-standing local business, which has been a cherished part of our city’s family entertainment landscape for many years,” she said.

“While we understand the strong feelings this news has sparked, the City does not have the authority to prevent the closure of the theatre. We understand how deeply rooted this place is in our community’s heart, and are saddened by the loss of a beloved gathering place.”

We also spoke to Jonny ‘Bones’ Aaron, a former projectionist at the theatre when it still ran film.

“The place means a lot to me,” he said, passionately expressing his displeasure about the potential for the theatre to be turned into a Dollarama.

“The space isn’t even useful for that type of retail space,” he added.

This isn’t the only small business cinema that has closed in the Lower Mainland recently. Last year, we shared how Twilight Drive-In, the only drive-in located in the region, was closing.

We’ve contacted BDO for comment but have not heard back by time of publication. We have also reached out to Dollarama.

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