The Summit Place Mall Theatres, so named due to their being on the Summit Place Mall property, were an attraction for many who would come by either after shopping at the mall, or just come by to catch a show. It was an unusual location for the Theatres, partly due to many of the "Mall Theatres" that were created in the country were actually inside the Mall buildings themselves. This one was an "outbuilding" and was not as restricted to the operation hours of the Mall because of that reason.
2010 view
The Pontiac Mall (as Summit Place was known when it opened) was Michigan's first enclosed shopping center. It was built on the boundary between the city of Pontiac and Waterford Township. Two tenants opened ahead of the mall: a Kroger supermarket, which began operation in 1961, and a Montgomery Ward department store in February 1962.
The mall featured one other major department store: a "budget" branch of Detroit-based Hudson's Stores, which did not feature furniture or small appliances. This Hudson's location would later be upgraded to a full-line Hudson's store sometime after the Mall itself was completed.
3-14-73 opening ad
The Twin Theatres officially opened on March 14, 1973 with the movies Poseidon Adventure and Sounder being its feature opening presentations.
Winter 2009
It would later be renamed to "Cinema 1 & 2", then "Cinema I II III" (in 1983 when a third screen was squeezed in by splitting the larger original auditorium), and of course the "Pontiac Mall Cinemas". Later called the Summit Place Cinema after the Pontiac Mall changed its name.
2010
National Amusements assumed operation of this cinema in 1983, until it closed permanently 10 years later when the company closed it with the idea of "remodeling the location" that never came.
2014 estimated of the Lobby before demolition
The theatre building was left abandoned after investors in the location could not be acquired to continue operations as a Theater. The building would sit empty, later being demolished in 2014 when the decline of the Summit Place Mall accellerated and discussions of redevelopment of the mall property began to come to light.
2010
The redevelopment plans are still in-progress as of 2024, but nothing has been built on the site as yet.
2010 building
2010 marquee
For many folks, this theatre was a wonderful part of Southeast Michigan
and the memories remain long after the folks who have visited here depart.
This is what makes it a wonderful part of Michigan Cinema History.
IF you have any more information or details on this location,
please email me and i will add it into the description.
Thank you!
Please BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS and as always, Enjoy the Hunt!
🎬 🎥 🎬 🎥 🎬 🎥 🎬 🎥 🎬 🎥
**Information Sources: Google, waterwinterwonderland.com, cinematreasures.com; others