Closure News
Bedford Movie Tavern, a hub for the community, closes after 20 years
![Bedford Movie Tavern](https://fortworth.culturemap.com/media-library/bedford-movie-tavern.jpg?id=56047355&width=2000&height=1500&quality=65&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C0)
A beloved neighborhood movie theater in the mid-cities is closing after 20 years: Movie Tavern Bedford, a movie theater with an in-house restaurant located at 2204 Airport Fwy. #450, will close on January 31.
The theater is part of a chain originally founded in 2001 which was acquired in 2018 by Marcus Theatres, a Milwaukee-based company that's the fourth largest theater circuit in the U.S. (behind AMC, Regal, and Cinemark).
Movie Tavern was founded in Fort Worth, part of a wave of theaters that also served food, which opened around the same time. Movie Tavern's slogan: "Where Movies Never Tasted So Good."
Three other Movie Tavern locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area — Hulen and West 7th, both in Fort Worth, and Denton — will all remain open, according to a statement.
A representative said that "Marcus Theatres routinely reviews the theatre locations to evaluate the financial performance and viability of each location. They have determine that it is the best interest of the company to stop operations at the Bedford location. Marcus will continue to serve the Dallas-Fort Worth area with the Movie Taverns located in in Fort Worth and Denton, with the West 7th Movie Tavern being only 15 miles away."
A post from the Bedford location said that, "After more than 20 years of showing you the magic, thrills, and heartache of the silver screen, it’s time for us to dim our lights for the final time at The Shops on Central," the post said. "We’ve been the backdrop to your first dates, the place you cheered on your favorite heroes, and where you found solace in a good story, not to mention being your curbside popcorn provider during COVID. From blockbuster hits to hidden gems and everything in between, we’ve shared so many unforgettable moments together."
"Your laughter, gasps, and applause have filled these walls, creating a sense of community that words can hardly capture," the theater post said. "Each visit, each ticket, each bucket of popcorn—it meant more than you could know. In an ever-evolving world, we’ve tried our best to remain a place of escape, wonder, and connection."
Some blamed COVID, when the theater was forced to discontinue food service, then brought it back via an app — "It killed the one thing that set Movie Tavern apart from 100 other theaters," said one regular.
"When COVID hit, it changed the movie exhibition landscape forever, and Marcus was not able to capitalize on many of things we started when Movie Tavern was part of Southern Theatres," said one former employee.
Most reminisced about the role that the theater played, not just for the entertainment it provided but as a hub for the community, from giving local teens their first job to infusing many with a love for film.
"I was able to put myself through college while working at the Bedford location, and will always remember that part of my life," said one.
"A lot of good memories and friendships happened at both the old location and the most recent one. We were a massive family at the Bedford location," said another.
"I’ve been going to a movie, almost weekly, there since it has opened. I get my love for the movies from my parents and still attend with my Dad as my Mom has passed. That’s one of the reasons why this is so difficult as it isn’t only a movie theater to me with it being such a big part of my life!" said another.