What's going on with Landmark Cinemas in Peoria? Here's what we know

PEORIA — Landmark Cinemas has apparently closed, but no information is available on why or for how long.

Jason Lanzotti, the general manager of Peoria Forrest Hill Development Company, which owns the facility, had no comment when reached by phone Tuesday morning.

"This is our own personal business," he said.

Lanzotti would not confirm that the business had indeed closed, but a former employee did. Tonie Walton, who worked part time at the cinema for almost five years, said she was told July 21 that the business would be closing July 30. About seven or eight people worked there, she said.

"It's kind of sad to see it close," she said. "I remember going there in high school. It was really fun to go there, especially because it was affordable for kids and teens."

Though the names of current movies, including "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer," were on the building's marquee Tuesday, the cinema doors were locked and movie times are no longer being posted on the cinema's website. A phone call to the cinema went to a voice mailbox that was full.

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Chuck Grayeb, the Peoria City Council member whose district includes Landmark Cinemas, said he has known for a while that the cinema might be closing.

"It came to my attention a couple weeks ago, so I asked our staff to find out what the plan is," said Grayeb. "To make a long story short, I don't know and I'm trying to find out."

The cinema is in a larger facility that also includes a bowling alley, a health club, an esports complex and a sports bar. It also has space for several small businesses, including a one-chair barbershop that was open on Tuesday morning. Built in 1979, the entire facility was listed on an online auction site last summer after no local buyer could be found.

The health club, bowling alley and the Bullpen Sports Bar & Grill are apparently still open. Peoria Esports Complex, located adjacent to the cinema, said it will be open for its usual weekend hours on Aug. 4-6.

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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: What's going on with Landmark Cinemas in Peoria, IL?