Fox East movie theatre closing after nearly 50 years

Exeter movie theater was the first multiscreen theater in Berks County

Fox East theater in Exeter Township is closing after nearly 50 years in business.

Wyomissing-based Fox Theatres announced Tuesday, Sept. 10 that the four-screen theater will close after business on Sept. 19.

“Fox East has a rich movie history and a devoted customer base, but lately has struggled to maintain its audience as we’ve upgraded our Fox Berkshire eight-screen theater in Wyomissing,” Donald Fox, president of Fox Theatres, said in a news release. “We are honored to have entertained the local community who enjoyed movies at Fox East and look forward to continuing to serve them at Fox Berkshire.”

Fox East currently has 10 employees, including one that has worked at the theater for 16 years according to the company in an emailed response to questions.

“All employees have been given the opportunity to transfer to Fox Berkshire,” the emailed response stated. There was no indication from the company how many employees will make the move.

Fox East opened in 1971 as a two-screen “twin” theater, the first multi-screen movie theater in Berks County. It is located in the Reading Mall shopping center at 4350 Perkiomen Ave., adjacent to Boscov’s East.

In 1973, two more screens were added to meet the strong demand for movies at the location.

“I, like many of our customers, have a lot of fond memories connected to Fox East,” Fox said. “So personally, saying goodbye to the theater makes me feel nostalgic. However, I’m feeling optimistic with the success of Fox Berkshire, located only a few miles down the road from the community around Fox East.”

In 1971, Fox Theatres opened the Fox Midtown twin theater at Ninth and Penn streets in downtown Reading. It was the first new downtown theater in decades, but was less successful than the Exeter location.

It has since closed, and the building now houses a Family Dollar store.

While Fox East is closing, Fox Berkshire will get a four-screen addition in 2020 after record attendance last year, Fox said.

Fox built the Fox Berkshire in 1993, then sold it to Carmike Cinemas, before buying it back in 2013. In 2017, the theater added Fox Kitchen & Bar at Fox Berkshire, which allows patrons to watch a movie while enjoying a full dinner and a beer, wine or cocktail.

Its theaters are equipped with electric recliners with ample space and tray tables that easily swing out of the way.

“Moviegoers prefer Fox Berkshire’s premium experience — heated luxury recliners, the giant ‘FTX’ screen, Fox Kitchen and Bar and Fox Patio,” Fox said.

Upgrading Fox East was considered, according to the company, but it was determined not to be cost effective.

Fox Theatres is currently exploring options for adapting the Exeter building for a different use. Anyone who is interested can contact info@fox-theatres. com.

“There are many ideas in discussion, and we’re still exploring options,” Fox said.

Fox Theatres was founded in 1957 by Richard Fox and continues to be family-owned. In addition to Fox Berkshire, Fox Theatres also operates two theaters in Ocean City, Md.

For Berks County residents who live on the east side of Reading, the choices for watching movies on the big screen is to travel to Wyomissing or head east toward the Pottstown area, which has several theaters, including a new one that just opened in North Coventry.

The State Theatre in Boyertown is another option. Donna Rovins contributed to this story

MEDIANEWS GROUP FILE PHOTO The Fox East movie complex near the Boscov’s East store in Exeter is closing its doors after nearly 50 years.