NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - The North Adams Movieplex 8 announced it is closing on January 31. A manager said it’s going to be surreal turning the projectors off for the final time on Tuesday night and saying goodbye to the Movieplex. 

Whether finding out through a social media post this week or seeing the goodbye sign on the door, reactions were similar for people attending the Movieplex 8’s final Friday.

“Surprised and we are sad," said one local mom who brought her daughter to the movies Friday. "On half days it works out great, so - because that’s a half day today so we’re going to the movies. She goes to the movies a lot with her summer camp. We’ll miss that.”

When the North Adams theater closes, there won't be many options nearby. Some mentioned having to travel up to Vermont or down to Pittsfield.

“I mean, there’s not really much else," said one moviegoer. "I mean there’s like Bennington and stuff like that, but that’s a ways away, so I guess it’s basically streaming for a lot of us. It’s sad it’s leaving.”

An employee said they found out about the closure on Tuesday. The reason why hasn’t been made public by the owner of the theater and Steel City Plaza - First Hartford Realty Corporation.

Moviegoers on Friday said they’ll be in attendance this weekend for a final visit and to use up gift cards.

“We spent about $200 between all the kids," said a local woman. "We got gift cards, my mom got gift cards for the kids, for the grandkids.”

The future for the theater space is unknown and a “for lease” sign hangs in the window. Locals said it’s tough to lose a source of entertainment in the city.

“It’s just making it harder and harder and I feel really bad for the older people that can’t travel.”