T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA The current location of the AMC Classic Mall 11 Movie Theater at the Ohio Valley Mall that is set to close its doors on Sunday.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The AMC at the Ohio Valley Mall’s final day is Sunday, but mall officials are searching for another company that could fill the spot AMC is vacating.

The decision to close the AMC Classic Mall 11 Movie Theater was announced Tuesday, surprising many Ohio Valley residents who took to social media to voice their disappointment. The closure comes due to the lease between AMC and the Ohio Valley Mall expiring and AMC deciding not to sign a new lease.

AMC confirmed the closing in a short statement on Wednesday.

“I can confirm that AMC will cease operations at Ohio Valley Mall 11 after close of business on Sunday 09/08/24,” said Cassie Nichols, media relations manager for AMC Theaters. “AMC routinely reviews the theaters in our circuit, as well as opportunities outside of our circuit, and makes decisions based on what will best strengthen the company going forward. We thank our Ohio Valley Mall 11 guests for their patronage and have appreciated the support from the community.”

AMC Theaters has been struggling overall in recent months, and the St. Clairsville site’s closure isn’t the only one the company has announced this year. News outlets from across the country have reported theater closures in cities like Clarksville, Tennessee; Fort Smith, Arkansas; Hanover Township, Pennsylvania; Churchville, Maryland; Dover, Delaware; and Mankato, Minnesota, all since the start of 2024.

According to multiple reports, the company is saddled with around $4.5 billion in debt and, according to a March story in TheStreet, the stock was down at that point nearly 90% from the previous 12 months. The St. Clairsville site’s closure isn’t the only one AMC has announced since the start of 2024.

Ohio Valley Mall Marketing Director Candi Noble-Greathouse referred questions to Joe Bell, director of communications for Cafaro Company, the mall’s parent company. Bell said Cafaro will look for other theater companies to move in.

“Currently we’re doing some exploration into other operators that may be able to offer a superior type of movie experience that people in the area deserve,” Bell said.

He added that the mall’s primary focus is to replace AMC in the same space. Although AMC isn’t the first theater company the mall has had as a tenant, it has been an anchor location since 2016, when it took the place of Carmike Cinemas.