Providence Place Finds a Replacement For Showcase Cinemas

The theater screens went dark on Sunday, but not for long.

A new tenant is moving in to fill the gap created by the closing of the Showcase Cinemas at Providence Place Mall in Providence, Rhode Island.

Providence-based WPRI-TV 12 reported, "A lease for Apple Cinemas to take over the space was approved this past week," and that "Apple is expected to open by November 1."

Showcase Cinemas announced last month that it would not renew its contract with the Providence Place Mall next year.

READ MORE: Providence Place Movie Theater Going Dark

Mark Russo, the attorney in charge of the mall's receivership, told WPRI, "This represents an important step forward for Providence Place and its future."

The original Showcase Cinemas opened at Providence Place 25 years ago with 16 screens and an IMAX theater,

WJAR-TV 10 reported Apple Cinemas will also take control of the IMAX theater.

The station said it will be the second Apple Cinemas to operate in Rhode Island, as the company opened at the former Showcase location at the Warwick Mall in 2022.

The Apple Cinemas are not related to the tech company Apple Inc., which, according to WJAR, "has filed suit against Apple Cinemas over the name." Apple Inc. operates a store at Providence Place.

Apple Cinemas is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and has theaters in New England and New York.

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In September, Providence Business News reported that the parent company, National Amusements, would not be extending its lease for the Showcase Cinemas, which expires in January.

If all goes as planned, Apple Cinemas will be fully functional just in time to begin showing the holiday season blockbuster films, so grab your popcorn and prepare to be entertained.