Remember This? Changes to Crossroads Mall Area

i remember when we moved from the twin cities area when I was a little kid in 1972.  We would occasionally go and check out a movie and go as a family.  That was a big deal at the time to go out to dinner, and then go and see a movie.

Living in Eden Valley, it was a big deal to drive up to St. Cloud and get to see a movie in a big theatre.  At the time the only other theatres in the area were located in Litchfield (not the drive in) and also there was a small theatre in Paynesville.  Is that one still open??

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I do remember going to see movies at this theatre.  Cinema 70.  It must have been after the year 1974 because that is when they added a second screen, and there were 2 movies offered each time.  I believe it was Ice Castles, and it must have been in 1978, because that's when that movie came out.  I'm sure some members of my family went to that theatre before that, but that is the earliest memory that I have of the theatre.

A grand open house took place on November 2, 1965 with free coffee and donuts. The following night, “It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World” premiered with an all- star cast including Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle, and Ethel Merman among others. Two separate showings, one at 6:45 and other at 9:30 pm, highlighted the evening.

It was just a few years after seeing Ice Castles when they tore down that theatre and opened up th 6 plex that also had a couple of restaurants in it, one of which was Taco Bills.  The building is now the location for Schuler Shoes, Cloud 9, and a few other shops.

We can obviously call this progress, but it's also kind of cool to remember what used to be.

Fun fact, I also remember going to actual movies at the Paramount theatre before it was used as a live stage.  Star Wars, the 1977 version was playing there at the time. I think my brothers and I saw that movie in that theatre at least 3 times.  That was also when it was safe to drop your kids off at the theatre and let them see a flick while the parents did something else and just picked up their kids after the movie.

Anyone else remember this?