It's Curtains for the Sunset 5: So Long Laemmle, Hello Sundance

Movie theatre chain Laemmle will be bidding adieu to their tenancy as the operators of the Sunset 5 in West Hollywood in the 8000 Sunset complex. After two decades of serving as the ol' reliable for independent film at that location, Laemmle is "unable to come to terms with the landlord on a new lease," and is packing up, says Company Town.

In its stead will be Robert Redford's Sundance Cinemas. They take over the space as of December 1, but renovations will find the five-plex closed until sometime in the late spring. Although Sundance Cinemas is based in Westlake Village, this will be their first theatre in Los Angeles.

Laemmle cites the not-too-far-away ArcLight, as well as The Grove, as claiming some of their business in recent years, however the Sunset 5's role as a bastion of art house cinema is largely indisputable among local cinephiles.

It's not an entirely sad ending, though, for fans of the Laemmle chain. They're working to complete their 7-screen theatre in North Hollywood by the end of this year, which will be home to the same "eclectic" programming as at their other locations.

As for the Sunset 5, Sundance's takeover and renovation will bring "upscale" changes to the venue, which may end up appealing to the 8000 Sunset clientele, who shop at a CB2 in the long-vacated Virgin Megastore space, as well as dine at a Veggie Grill and get their groceries at a rock 'n' roll Trader Joe's.

Psst, if you really want to dig into the history of what has been at what we know as 8000 Sunset, check out the once-upon-a-time tale of Schwab's Pharmacy.