News has spread about how Cineworld shut down all Regal Cinemas across the country, but what might not be known is that the local Regal Cinemas, also known as the Hollywood Theaters, hasn’t paid their bills to the Washington Crown Center Mall since March 3, 2020. As of December 23, 2020, the theater owes $360,249.48 to the Crown Center, as stated from an article in the Observer-Reporter. 

Although Regal Cinemas and Washington’s Crown Center only had a 20-year agreement that was supposed to end on May 8, 2019, the pair extended it. The Wall Street Journal reported that the parent company of Regal Cinemas, Cineworld, went bankrupt to sell $450 million dollars to continue operations and that is why they couldn’t pay the bills.

Including the theater drama, the Crown Center has been shutting down stores; many stores such as Ulta, Sears, Victoria’s Secret, and Books-A-Million have left the mall throughout 2020. The mall’s only restaurant, Garfield’s, has left as well, and Ross will be leaving soon. As of right now, there are only a select few stores left in the building. 

The Observer-Reporter mentions that Sears leaving the Crown Center was “inevitable.” On top of that, they also mentioned how the mall is in serious trouble, sparking rumors that the mall as a whole may close because so many stores have left.

If the Crown Center closes, a piece of Washington will be lost.