Future of Mann Theater in Question

St. Louis Park officials are bracing for the to close, though the cinema's owner said he wants to stay in town.

Steve Mann said he's currently negotiating with the building owner, Frauenshuh Commerical Real Estate, but no long-term deal is in place. Mann said he currently operates on what in essence amounts to a month-to-month lease.

Mann said he hopes to strike a long-term deal within the next month, but a failure to do so could lead the theater to close after 16 years in St. Louis Park.

"I'm hopeful we'll reach a deal that we'll both live with," Mann said. "Our first intent is to stay here as a theater."

Mann and his brother currently operate 11 theaters and 78 screens in Minnesota, but Mann said the opening of the at the nearby a few years ago has "absolutely" hurt the business of his St. Louis Park location.

"You and I wouldn't even be having this conversation (if ShowPlace Icon hadn't opened)," Mann said when asked about his competition.

Planning for a potential theater closure has already begun. Earlier this month, City Council granted Frauenshuh permission to make some major changes to the area. If the theater closes, the building's first floor would be re-used for retail but the second floor would go unused. Other current tenants of the theater building, including and , would move to a new 6,600 square-foot building that would go up nearby.

"We're preparing just in case (Mann) isn't there," said Dean Williamson, president of Frauenshuh Commerical Real Estate.