BLACKFOOT — The Plaza Twin Theater in Blackfoot will be closing its doors later this month on August 9, according to theater manager, Aubi Crabtree.

    Crabtree said that owners had discussed closing the two-dollar discount theater, located at 1350 Parkway driver, prior to the 2012 summer.

    “I know they talked about closing the theater before the summer,” Crabtree said, “but because so many out-of-school kids come here during that time, they decided to keep it open.”

    At least 50 of those out-of-school kids stepped off the Blackfoot Community Center's blue retired school bus parked in front of the Plaza Twin Theater Thursday to catch what could be their last movie at the town's only cinema before it closes.

    “I know a lot of these kids will take the news pretty hard,” said community center employee, Alisha Nebeker, who helped bus the youths to the theater Thursday afternoon. “They always prefer coming to the theater over watching movies at the community center.”

    Although theater manager Bradley Mays, whose family has owned and operated the Twin Theaters for the past five years, was unavailable for comment Thursday, it's likely that competition from larger theaters in I.F. and Pocatello have played a role in the family's decision to close the theater.

    No decision regarding anyone planning to purchase the theater has been announced, according to theater employees.   

    “Hunger Games,” “Men In Black III,” “Prometheus,” and “Abe Lincoln, Vampire Hunter” will round out the theater's final week of showings.