The Chaska REX in Chaska, Minnesota closed on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, leaving the city in the southwestern Twin Cities metro area without a movie theater.

The Chaska Herald reported on the closure yesterday, mentioning that the closure was posted on the theater's Facebook page, and they were able to get a response from Glenn Baird, owner of Five Star Cinemas, which operated the Chaska REX:

Since acquiring the cinema in Aug of '04 there has been countless group of employees and managers who have tried and gave it their best effort to make it a success. Unfortunately, the Rex has struggled financially ever since.

It is a great little theater that tried, but just couldn't get over the hump.

The Rex has created countless memories for many people over the years. With the coming transition to digital cinema in our industry, the ever increasing operating costs, we struggled to find the point where we might realize a turnaround and cannot justify continuing.

I sincerely appreciate all of our great and loyal guests who kept us going to this point, unfortunately, we were not able to win over enough of them to stay viable.

Chaska is a great community. Competition for entertainment dollars is tough, I wish the Rex could have succeeded.

Click the Read link below to view the full article and comments from their readers.

This isn't the first time we've seen the Digital Cinema transition blamed for the closure of a small theater, and it won't be the last. The costs involved create a situation where theaters on the edge of failure are pushed over that edge.

Moviegoers in Chaska will need to do a little driving to see movies now, with the Chanhassen Cinema and Marcus Shakopee Town Square both about five miles away. There are a total of eight theaters within 15 miles, so other choices are available. Just not within walking distance of downtown Chaska.

Do you have memories of the Chaska REX theater?

Be sure to leave a message on the Comments page for the theater and share your memories with your fellow readers!