Orange Mall
2320 Orange Mall, Orange, CA.

Specifications

    Operators: AMC
    Status: Demolished
    Opened: 12/16/71
    Closed: 4/20/97
    Current Use: Retail
    Screens: 6
    Seating: Slope

Profile

AMC’s second entry in to the Orange County market, the Orange Mall 6 opened on December 16, 1971 as the West Coast’s first six-screen multiplex and the company’s sixth such venue nationally.

Built outside the Orange Mall, as a free standing structure, the theatre sat 1800, in six shoebox style auditoriums. Similar to most of AMC’s early multiplex builds, the venue was designed with a function over aesthetics approach and featured mono sound, until an early 80’s upgrade to Dolby surround. The theatre was first run until the company built two additional complexes in the area ( Mainplace 6 & Fullerton 8 ) and declining business levels dictated a switch to second run booking. Despite a dying mall and stiff competition from an ever growing local theatre market, the discount format proved successful and the Orange Mall 6 enjoyed respectable attendance up until the end.

In 1997, AMC opened a ten screen expansion on their Fullerton theatre and began construction on the Block 30, in Orange. Coupled with plans for a remodel of the Orange Mall, AMC’s focus on stadium new builds marked the end of the road for the Orange Mall 6 and the theatre was closed in April of 1997.

Shortly after closing, the theatre was razed and a Walmart was built on the site. 

Images

Click on image for full size view