Merrick Cinemas V closes its doors

Merrick Cinemas V on Broadcast Plaza has closed, just five years after it first opened. 

Located at 15 Fisher Ave. — at the entrance of Broadcast Plaza — a movie theater has operated at the location for about 20 years. The theater, under its most recent ownership, opened in October 2017.

At the end of August, its signage and movie posters were taken down, and replaced by a simple message: "Theater closed. Goodbye, Merrick."

According to a statement on the theater's website, the lease for the property is expiring and the building is to be sold. 

"Despite our efforts to keep the theater open, the new buyers were unwilling to provide us with a new lease," the statment said.

Joe Baker, a Merrick Chamber of Commerce board member, said at one point there were three movie theaters in the community. Baker used to own the maroon-colored house, where he had a coffee shop in the 1980s and '90s, next to the theater. 

When the theater closed suddenly, it came as a shock to many — including Baker. 

"It's interesting," he said. "Sad, but interesting."

Baker saw movie seats being moved into a tractor-trailer behind the theater on Fisher Avenue, likely indicating that whoever bought the property would no longer operate it as a cinema. 

It remains unclear who the property's new owners are. Business and property developments of any sort would need to be approved by the Town of Hempstead, Baker noted, to ensure there is adequate parking for what may be proposed.

Baker said he is guessing, though cannot say for sure, a developer may seek to replace the theater with a multistory property, with businesses on the ground floor, and living quarters above it.

Cinema owners thanked Merrick, and nearby communities, for their support over the last five years. They said they were "deeply saddened" the community would lose its local theater.

"Our amazing employees," the theater added, "will be part of our family forever."