The joy of visiting the movie theaters was once a cherished experience for cinephiles who relished the thrill of seeing films on the big screen. In recent times, the AMC theaters, especially Jersey City’s AMC cinema, have become the center of attention, drawing predominantly negative online reviews and criticism.
On Wednesday, September 28, the AMC movie theater at Newport Mall in Jersey City faced a temporary closure due to a rat infestation, raising concerns among local moviegoers about the ongoing rodent issue in the Jersey City and Hoboken areas. The AMC Newport Centre 11, consisting of 11 theaters, received a citation for the presence of rodents and was initially fined $100 following an inspection. A follow-up inspection occurred the following day, on September 29. During its closure, the cinema displayed a pop-up message on its website, apologizing for the inconvenience and citing the reason as “temporary closure due to unforeseen maintenance.” Movie enthusiasts are keenly awaiting updates on the situation.
Numerous openings within the theater were discovered to be the primary cause of the rat infestation. Situated within the mall’s food court, the cinema inadvertently provided an enticing environment for these rodents. It’s worth noting that the rat problem isn’t limited to just the theater; Jersey City and its neighboring city, Hoboken, have both grappled with similar infestations. In response to these recent events, the city of Hoboken has taken proactive measures, distributing approximately 3,000 garbage cans to residents in the area. This initiative aims to address the rat issue by encouraging residents to securely enclose their garbage in bags within these cans, rather than leaving it on the streets.
While attempts were made to reach out to AMC theaters for additional information on the matter, the cinema has chosen not to provide a statement. According to interviews conducted with local Jersey City residents who frequently visit the Newport AMC Cinema, some have expressed indifference towards the issue, viewing it as a means of enhancing their movie experience, describing it as “more immersive.”
The local Health Department continues to closely monitor the cinema to prevent any recurrence of a similar situation. The theater has now reopened its doors to the public, with the local community fervently hoping that these uninvited guests won’t make another appearance.
