Sad sad news. Word has spread quickly that after 42 years in business the Cable Car Cinema and Café will soon be closing its doors forever. Last night, owners Dan Kamil and Emily Steffian announced the closing in “A Letter to the Friends, Fans, and Long-Time Customers of the Cable Car Cinema” explaining,
We did not come to this decision lightly. There were many business factors considered: the changing nature of film exhibition, the changing habits of media consumption, and the fact that we do not own our building. For the past year, we have been negotiating with RISD (our landlord) different scenarios to make it feasible for the Cable Car Cinema to continue in its current spot. Unfortunately, that has not worked out. We could not come to any agreement that makes long-term financial sense for us while also satisfying their institutional needs.
This much-beloved couple want to reassure their friends that they are not going away.
We will continue to program the Providence Art & Design Film Festival and other one-off screenings with partner venues through our non-profit entity the Providence Center for Media Culture.
For the short-term, we will catch our breath, take a moment, and if the right opportunity arises – the Cable Car Cinema may emerge in another locale and in another form.
The loss of this cherished institution to the neighborhood, and to the Providence movie-loving community, is incalculable. Thank you Dan and Emily.
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