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EDEN — A movie theater that abruptly closed last week leaves a void in a local shopping center, but a city official and the center’s owner said they hope to find a new tenant soon.

Instead of the latest movie listings, the marquee at the four-screen Kingsway Cinema now reads “closed.” The theater was owned by Carmike Cinemas.

Carmike officials did not return calls this week seeking information about why the theater was shut down.

Mike Dougherty, Eden’s economic development director, said no official notice was given.

“It left everybody blindsided,” Dougherty said Tuesday.

The Rosen Group owns Kingsway Plaza, and President Joe Maguire said Wednesday that he did not know the exact day the theater shut down.

“I learned that they were going to close last week,” Maguire said.

He said he received the information from one of his company’s local representatives.

Dougherty and Maguire said they are working to find other movie theaters to lease the space.

The theater’s departure comes during a time when Kingsway Plaza is undergoing a face-lift in preparation for its newest tenant, Peebles department store. Peebles is leaving the Eden Mall for Kingsway Plaza and is scheduled to open there Sept. 18.

Maguire said “significant improvements” have been made to the Kingsway Plaza’s exterior. It has been painted, and lighting and asphalt work have also been done in the parking lot, he said.

Maguire said the company is in negotiations with a national tenant to fill one of the vacancies in the shopping center. He declined to name the business but said he hopes to make an announcement soon.

Residents still have the Eden Drive-In as a movie option, although it is usually closed during the winter.

Owner Tim Robertson has tried staying open year-round in the past, but he said the closing of the Kingsway Cinema has him reconsidering.

“I think the interest is there, so it’s a good chance,” said Robertson, who also owns Reidsville’s indoor Rockingham Theatre.

Contact Jonnelle Davis at 627-4881, Ext. 126, or jonnelle.davis@news-record.com