It’s the end of an era for movie buffs in West Boca Raton, as the VIP Shadowood 16 movie theater prepares to lower its final curtain. Scheduled to close today, the beloved cinema has become just another memory in the making. According to a Facebook post from the theater, tomorrow’s screenings will be its last, ahead of a redevelopment project that aims to reshape the Shadowood Square shopping center.
Drawing patrons for nearly four decades since its inception in 1987 by the Wometco chain, the venue has changed hands a few times, landing most recently with the family-owned VIP Cinemas in 2024. Following the theater’s announcement, locals have taken to social media to voice their sadness at the loss of a community staple. As reported by the South Florida Sun Sentinel, one theatergoer reminisced over Facebook, “There are so many memories attached to this theater from when my children were little kids all the way up to now that they are full-grown adults in their 30’s. I mean, this was the place that was happening on the weekends back in the day. So sad to see this end.”
The closure of VIP Shadowood 16 follows the property’s acquisition in August 2023 by EDENS, a South Carolina-based real estate developer. Outlined plans include the demolition of the theater and three other buildings, making way for six new structures with a blend of restaurants, retail stores, and a car wash. The reimagination of the plaza promises an additional 50,000 square feet dedicated to commercial use…