The Orleans movie theater
is gone forever

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Now that the AMC Orleans Theatre is closed, major changes appear to be coming to the commercial corridor near Bustleton and Bleigh avenues.
For more than 44 years, the Orleans was in many ways the anchor of that shopping and entertainment section of Rhawnhurst.
However, after a showing of The Simpsons Movie on Labor Day, the screens went dark for good and the popcorn machines popped their last kernels.
"The landlord is looking to redevelop the property," said Andy DiOrio, the corporate communications manager for Kansas City-based AMC Theatres.
The landlord is the Kimco Realty Corp. in New Hyde Park, N.Y.
Kimco controls a large amount of available space in that immediate area. Vacancies include a former ice cream parlor, Hollywood Bistro, Blockbuster Video, Abe’s & Son Deli, Brooklyn Hot Bagels and Lee’s Hoagie House, which moved to 7328 Castor Ave.
Signs in the vacant shops urge entrepreneurs to contact Nina Sirianni, who works for Kimco’s Ardmore office.
Sirianni declined to discuss future development, referring the Times to her company’s corporate headquarters. Kimco did not respond to requests to discuss its plans.
Kimco’s silence isn’t quieting speculation. Nothing is concrete, since talk of the demise of the Orleans Theatre was rumored for years.
Still, the strongest rumor is that Kimco will overhaul the area north of Bleigh Avenue and west of Bustleton Avenue. The company is said to be trying to lure a national department store chain, perhaps Target.
Pep Boys will likely move from its current location to a new building that now houses PetSmart. The future of the large pet shop is unclear.
Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts, a Pep Boys neighbor, does a good business but operates out of an aging building.
The exteriors of some of the buildings are starting to look like eyesores. Hollywood Bistro, a corner property, is boarded up. The Blockbuster building, which might not be part of the grand plans because it is on the south side of Bleigh Avenue, has graffiti on it.
If Kimco wants to undertake a major redevelopment, it will need to resolve a number of zoning issues. Its first call would likely be to the Rhawnhurst Civic Association or the office of City Councilman Dan Savage (D-7th dist.).
So far, the company has not made an outreach.
"No developer or attorney for a developer has contacted our office regarding that parcel," said Liz McCollum-Nazario, Savage’s chief of staff.
McCollum-Nazario added that the councilman, who will be leaving office at the end of the year because of his defeat in the Democratic primary, will support the community’s wishes for the future of the site. She encouraged residents to call the office at 215-686-3448 with questions or concerns.
As for the Orleans, the promotional posters on the outside of the theater have been removed and the inside is being cleaned out.
The marquee reads, "That’s a Wrap." There’s a thank you to the theater managers and the words, "Thanks to our loyal guests ‘N’ friends for 44 years. Farewell. 5-15-63 – 9-3-07."
The theater was opened on May 15, 1963 by the William Goldman Theatre Co. It was named after the builder, Alfred P. Orleans. The first movie on the single-screen theater was The Days of Wine and Roses, starring Philadelphia native Jack Klugman.
A second screen was added on May 24, 1972, with Cabaret and Play It Again, Sam playing simultaneously. The Budco Theatre Co. became the new owner that year.
The theater grew to four screens in 1977, then added four more in 1984 by taking space once occupied by a Pathmark supermarket.
AMC took over from Budco in December 1986. The eight-screen theater seated 3,775.
The entertainment giant wasn’t looking to close the theater, according to DiOrio.
"That decision was made by them," he said, referring to Kimco officials.
Still, at times, the gigantic Orleans parking lot seemed empty. There were occasions when the lot featured more teenagers learning to drive than movie patrons parked there.
Other area theaters — including the AMC Franklin Mills 14 and AMC Woodhaven 10 — were bustling with moviegoers.
DiOrio, though, insisted the Orleans was viable.
"Our guests enjoyed the theater," he said. "It wasn’t underperforming." ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com