Iconic Lubbock Businesses Close, Community Reacts

Lubbock, Texas took two gut punches over the weekend.

Two Down

News broke this weekend that Cinemark Movies 16 had closed. Before that news had settled down, On The Border announced it was closing. It was a little tough to hear, but both businesses had been around a long time. Cinemark Movies 16 had hit 35 years. I can’t find the opening date for On The Border, but it has probably been around three decades as well. Those are EXTREMELY long runs for any business, and we thank them for being their for us.

What’s Up?

We tend to try to read something into these closures. We find places like this nostalgic and part of “growing up” or our Lubbock experience. At the end of the day, they are just places that belonged at a certain time and place and other businesses have popped up with new ways to attract consumers.  It’s just the march of time, and that’s all it is.

Why’s It Happening?

Lubbock sprawl did not help either with so many residents moving to newer parts of town, and experiencing new businesses in their neighborhoods. For example, I would imagine it would be just a matter of time before some type of theaters open in West Lubbock which could seriously impact our remaining theaters. I also believe that if the forces that promote downtown Lubbock really want to have an impact, they’d find a way to get a theater there as well.

Wrapping It Up

I would not read too much into these closures. We didn’t cry when stores that sold 80’s or 90’s clothes went out of business. There was no funeral when Orange Julius left the Mall. I don’t remember a huge hubbub when some of our favorite clubs called it quits. A little bit of research shows that 10-15 businesses open each month, and only about four close. We’re still in the plus column when it comes to growth in Lubbock.