CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The 10-screen AMC movie theater at Governor’s Square Mall is closing at the end of this weekend, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the end of movies at the mall.

According to a sign posted on the door at the AMC Classic Governor’s Square 10, the theater is holding its last day of movies on Sunday, Aug. 25.

AMC Theatres confirmed the closure to Clarksville Now. “We thank our Governor’s Square guests for their patronage and have appreciated the support from the community,” AMC Media Relations Manager Cassie Nichols said.

Joe Bell, director of corporate communications for mall owner the Cafaro Company, said the AMC lease ends in September.

But Bell told Clarksville Now the mall is in talks to bring a new operator to the space. “We’re in discussions with a theater operator that has a very good reputation which we believe will be very popular in the region,” he said. The operator has not been named, but Bell said an announcement is coming soon.

A new movie theater would pair well with the incoming Dave & Busters arcade complex, which is expected to open in the coming months at Governors’ Square Mall.

Battle of the theaters

The mall’s movie theater is the oldest still in operation in Clarksville. For several years, it was a 5-screen theater owned by Carmike, which also owned the 8-screen theater at the Tradewinds Plaza on Madison Street.

In 2003, a new 16-screen theater called Great Escape opened near Exit 1, and with stadium-style seating, according to Leaf-Chronicle archives. That prompted the mall theater in 2005 to double its capacity to become Carmike 10, with an upgrade to stadium seating. It later became an AMC theater.

The once-popular Madison Street Carmike shifted to discount seating in 2004, then closed for good in 2008.

In recent years, Great Escape has become Regal and switched to club-style reserved seating, while the mall’s AMC theater has struggled to keep pace.

Chris Smith contributed to this report.

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