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

