BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – After two decades of delighting audiences, Burlington’s Merrill’s Roxy Cinema has closed its doors.

There may still be posters for upcoming blockbusters like “Gladiator II” on the walls of the Roxy, but the theater, which announced its closure on social networksseems to have given its final curtain call.

“I like getting out of the house, I like watching movies, I like being in the crowd,” said Lindsay Sampson, a regular Burlington moviegoer.

“Change is inevitable, and I understand that, but at the same time I think it’s very sad that, you know, our communal experience of going to the movies together is probably coming to an end.”

We broke the news on Friday to Ben and Jessica Thiefels, who say they have a special connection with Roxy. “Jess and I had our first date here. And right after, I asked him in the parking lot of the University Mall. That was 19 years ago today, which is crazy, but yeah, it’s sad to see it closed. The Roxy is a Burlington institution,” Ben said.

But streaming the latest releases at home has put pressure on theaters, many of which have closed in recent years.

Owner Merrill Jarvis also said the decline in customers was due, in part, to public safety issues at the center. It’s a concern echoed by Kelly Devine of the Burlington Business Association. “We really need to all come together to make the city great. And if we really lose our cultural foothold, I think it will be a big loss,” he said.

For movie buffs who still want to make memories sitting in front of the big screen, you’ll now have to head to Essex or Williston to catch the latest movie.

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