MovieLounge in Fort Smith set to close Sept. 30

The MovieLounge is closing its doors after about five years of operating in Fort Smith.

Effective Oct. 1, the venue for food, drinks, film, and live entertainment will be available for lease or redevelopment through Nunnelee & Wright Commercial Properties. Dwight Curry opened the facility in 2012 and said he has “enjoyed building the concept, and it really has been fun.”

“I sincerely thank the community for their support and patronage, as well as the MovieLounge team. We’ve been privileged to be a part of so many special life occasions, and to have nurtured so much talent. Hospitality has always been my focus, and I’m excited to explore other possibilities in the future,” Curry said.

In a press release Tuesday (Sept. 19), MovieLounge said it would work with employees to find other employment opportunities throughout the community and “to ensure smooth communication.” Staff will continue briefly beyond the closing date to aid with closing card accounts. Gift card holders are encouraged to redeem prior to Sept. 30, the final day of available dinner service and films.

Including the general manager, the MovieLounge employs 20. According to Chip Paris with Paris Marketing & Public Relations, “Management are working with vendors and other restaurants to get employees connected to other open hospitality positions throughout the community.”

Prior to the MovieLounge opening, the building at 7601 Rogers Ave. was the home of Circuit City, which closed its doors in 2009.

When first constructed, the MovieLounge included a 115-seat restaurant, banquet area that can seat 235 and three 40-60 person theaters. The about $2.6 million project also included two “high-end, luxury” movie screens capable of seating 85 each, along with a smaller third theater space. A third theater space had “box seat” furnishings in a 750-square-foot space with a 15-foot screen that was geared for for corporate events, Super Bowl parties and other intimate gatherings.