the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Tenafly NJ, the curtains have officially closed on one of Bergen County’s historic landmarks. The former Bow Tie Cinemas on Railroad Avenue in Tenafly is being demolished, bringing an end to over a century of cinematic history. The site will soon be transformed into residential housing, according to Tenafly Police Chief Robert Chamberlain.
A Theater with 100 Years of History
The building originally opened in the 1920s, once known as the New Bergen Theatre. Over the years, it operated under several names: Clearview Cinema in 1993, and finally Bow Tie Cinemas in 2013. The theater officially closed in 2018, but memories of its legacy continue to live on with longtime residents.
“I used to go there with my family. I remember watching movies with my daughters,” said Chief Chamberlain. “It was local, comfortable, and fun to go to.”
Landmark Controversy and Closure
The theater’s closure in 2018 sparked controversy when former owner Ben Moss blamed the borough’s decision to designate the building a historic landmark for forcing him out of business. Borough Council members had hoped the designation would protect the structure from demolition, but efforts by the Historic Preservation Committee ultimately fell short.
“The town did try and save it,” Chamberlain added. “But unfortunately, it didn’t save it.”
Demolition Underway and New Construction Plans
Demolition began on May 12 and is expected to continue through the week. Housing units will soon rise in place of the iconic movie house, part of a growing trend where real estate development replaces cultural institutions.
A Nationwide Trend: Independent Theaters Struggle to Survive
The closure of Bow Tie Cinemas in Tenafly is just one of many losses in North Jersey and across the country. The Ramsey Theater, Maplewood Theater, Center Cinemas in Rutherford, and Fabian 8 Cinema in Paterson have all shuttered in recent years.
Between 2019 and 2023, approximately 4,803 movie theaters closed in the U.S., many of which could not recover from the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even Oscar-winning director Sean Baker, a New Jersey native, highlighted the issue during his 2025 Academy Awards speech for Anora:
“Movie theaters, especially independently-owned theaters, are struggling… If we don’t reverse this trend, we’ll be losing a vital part of our culture. This is my battle cry.”
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Ridgewood, Ramsey, and others take notice. There is no future for these facilities. None. Not even a performing arts center Like buggy whips and butter churns, their time has come and gone. Move on and stop the delays.