Last night I received a note from Journal reporter H. Houdini that the Buford Highway Twin Cinema just outside Atlanta had closed. I then started digging around social media, and with some of my peers in the field.
I then went through my Rolodex (for those under 40 years old, think of a paper version of your Outlook address book), and found my contact info for the owners of the Buford Highway Twin Cinemas. I shot off a note asking to confirm the rumor, as well as some of the details surrounding the closing.
To preface their answer, I have always found the new owners of the TCBH to be nothing but kind and gracious when talking with them in the past. However (and this is on me), I have not reached out to them in a couple years and thus lost the pulse of how things were going there.
When it comes to city politics and agendas when it comes to adult theaters, the resolution is not always a good one for this thing of ours. And that is the case here, with the theater confirmed to be closed.
This is the nice note I received back from the owners of the TCBH:
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Hello Doc,
Yes, we are closed. We closed the place at 3pm Saturday.
The city of Doraville annexed us into their city in Janurary. Our lawyers told us that it would be difficult to operate under their guidelines. After some legal matters and their investigation, we just could not fight the situation any longer.
It would have cost us a lot of money to continue and it would still be possible to lose. Therefore, our lawyers advised us to close.
We are looking for another location but it doesn't look like it will be soon. We are building an email list for notification. It is: atlantamovies@yahoo.com .
We want to thank you and so many of our customers that have supported us over these many years. The theatre has been in operation for over 35 years and will be missed by many diverse people.
Maybe some day people can stop being moral prudes. Decisions like this weaken the First Amendment Rights for us all, and even for the prudes.
Thank you so much !!!
Twin Cinemas at Buford Hwy.
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| Newspaper Ad from the Buford Twin 1975 |
The Twin Cinemas at Buford Highway was the last Atlanta-area adult theater. It was a former Jerry Lewis Cinema, with two large auditoriums, a huge lobby, and discreet parking. It shared it's plaza were other adult businesses, such as two strip clubs. I wonder if they are facing the same scrutiny as the TCBH had to endure?
This theater, during it's run as a non-adult theater, showed Star Wars along with other late 70's hits. It then transitioned to adult fair for the next 35 years, at least until this past Saturday afternoon.
So what's next? Well, if the owners of the TCBH find a different location, I will do all I can to help get the word out and promote the new venture. As long as I am wearing the aviators, mustache and white suit, that is my pledge.
And here are a few photos from my pic archive of the Twin Cinema at Buford Highway:
This theater, during it's run as a non-adult theater, showed Star Wars along with other late 70's hits. It then transitioned to adult fair for the next 35 years, at least until this past Saturday afternoon.
So what's next? Well, if the owners of the TCBH find a different location, I will do all I can to help get the word out and promote the new venture. As long as I am wearing the aviators, mustache and white suit, that is my pledge.
And here are a few photos from my pic archive of the Twin Cinema at Buford Highway:
The Good Doctor will keep you informed on the next steps the owners of the TCBH take, and what we can to support them. Remember to get on their e-mail list at atlantamovies@yahoo.com .
I need a Bloody Mary.
Thanks,
Doc