Mall of America to close theatres; new entertainment planned

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — The Mall of America plans to close its movie theatres next week and revamp the space for a new entertainment venue.

Mall spokesman Dan Jasper says the 14 theatre screens will go dark at the end of the business day Wednesday.

The Bloomington mall has offered movies ever since it opened in 1992.

Jasper tells the Star Tribune (http://strib.mn/2hhFYm1 ) the new entertainment venue will open late next year and does not currently have a presence in the Midwest. He declined to describe what the new venue will offer but said more will be announced in early January.