16 | FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 J
N
M
embers of the Jewish community
are among those missing the
Maple Theater in Bloomfield
Township since its unexpected closure on
Feb. 5. They are sharing their feelings of dis-
appointment and sadness with friends and
family and on social media. Some of the
super fans were willing to speak about the
Maple with the Detroit Jewish News.
Suburban Detroit Theaters opened the
Maple 1-2-3 in March 1977 at 4135 W
.
Maple Road, west of Telegraph. AMC and
Landmark Theatres took over before the
final owners. The three-screen movie the-
ater was unique in Oakland County for
presenting independent, art house-style
and often foreign films, rather than the
big Hollywood blockbusters. The Maple
evolved to become a reliable venue to see
Oscar-caliber as well as vintage films. Food
service from varying providers through the
years was available in the outer area, along
with a full-service bar.
Avid film buffs Jon and Lauren Goldstein
of Cloud Nine Theater Partners LLC
took over as owners of the new Maple
Theater, reopening in November 2012. The
building’s extensive renovations included
adding distinctive swaths of bright green
faux “moss” on outside walls. Noted local
restaurant designer Ron Rea enlivened the
interior décor.
All seemed as usual when Dr. Peter
Winston and Jeff Freedman of West
Bloomfield saw Groundhog Day on Friday,
Feb. 2. Little did the Maple Theater movie
buddies — or
anyone else
taking in a flick that
weekend — imagine that their
favorite venue would be closing
its doors for good on Monday.
The Goldsteins have
declined to comment pub-
licly since announcing their
difficult news. Their team
included Ruth Daniels, one of
the Maple’s longtime managing
partners.
A notice of closure, posted
at the theater and emailed to
media outlets and registered Maple theater-
goers, stated in part:
“Our lease has expired, and after months
of difficult deliberations, we have decided
that it is time to end our run as operators
of this wonderful institution. We have
been honored to be stewards of the Maple
Theater and appreciate all the support and
patronage from the community these past
12 years. With sincere gratitude and love,
we thank everyone who bought a ticket, ate
a meal or worked a shift.
”
Returning to normal from the
COVID-19 pandemic had huge effects
on the Maple and other independent “art-
house” theaters.
“We are proud that we stayed open and
continued to serve people during such a
crazy time,
” the announcement continued.
In downtown Royal Oak, the east side of
the Jewish community, a fan group called
Friends of the Main Art was unable to stop
the city from selling the 11 Mile Road and
Main Street site of the struggling 81-year-
old Main Art Theater to redevelopers. The
Main closed its doors in June 2021. Losing
the Main, as well as the former Cinema
Detroit in Midtown Detroit two years later,
increased the value of the Maple Theater
as a destination for area cine-
philes.
Roslyn “Roz” Schindler said,
“I went to the Main often as I
live in Huntington Woods, but
I also went to the Maple to see
films I could not see anywhere
else.
”
Community members mourn the loss
of the Maple Theater, which went out
of business Feb. 5.
A Neighborhood
Icon Closes
its Doors
Dr. Peter
Winston
ESTHER ALLWEISS INGBER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
OUR COMMUNITY
Membership Information
The Maple Theater has arranged with the movie theater Birmingham 8,
powered by Emagine, to assist with benefits formerly enjoyed by its VIP
and Elite members and redeem unused gift cards and tickets. Details are
at the themapletheater.com or send an email to info@themapletheater.
com. Birmingham 8 is located at 211 S. Old Woodward Ave. in downtown
Birmingham.
Roslyn
Schindler
Jeff
Freedman