Curtain draws on Bonner Mall Cinemas

PONDERAY — The curtain is drawing closed on Bonner Mall Cinemas.

The movie theater's former owners Dale and Trudy Reese announced the closure on social media on Friday.

"Regretfully, we have closed the Bonner Mall Cinemas. Thank you for a terrific 18 years. Hopefully a new owner will re-open the theater again soon," the couple said in a post to Facebook.

Trudy Reese did not return a call for a request for comment on the closure on Monday.

The theater opened in the Bonner Mall in 2001, following the closure of Sandpoint's movie theater, which was formerly located at the corner of Fifth and Church. At the time of its purchase, the Ponderay theater was operated by Reel Entertainment.

The closure comes as the novel coronavirus pandemic continues to cast a pall over gatherings in the Panhandle.

The new operators, who were not being publicly identified on Monday, plan to reopen the theater in the near future.

The theater in Ponderay played first- and second-run films. It joined the Panida Theater in screening feature films, although the Panida tends toward art and documentary films.

Supporters of Bonner Mall Cinemas expressed their gratitude on social media.

"Thank you for giving my son Bennet a place to work for the last few years! He really loved working there! Best wishes for new adventures for you!" said Tracy Sharrard Autler.

"I haven’t lived nearby for a few years now, but just wanted to say how very much we appreciated your investment and the joy you’ve brought into our lives," said Ingrid Elena Pavia said.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached at kkinnaird@bonnercountydaillybee.com or followed on Twitter @KeithDailyBee