Storey’s North DeKalb Theatre
Starting with my own small piece of history from the Storey’s North DeKalb Theatre at North DeKalb Mall, I went in search of more information. I found this among other memorabilia, such as Atlanta concert tickets and Theater of the Stars programs.
A leaflet for Storey’s North DeKalb Theatre, front page advertises the movie “Benji.”
Benji appears to have been released in 1974, but because of the other 1975 movies advertised in the same leaflet, I’m assuming that is the year I received this leaflet.
Advertising for the 1975 re-release of Bambi (1942), The Apple Dumpling Gang, and One of Our Dinosaurs is Missing.
I usually turn to cinematreasures.org for additional information on movie theatres from the past and discovered sections on Storey’s North DeKalb single theater, twin theater, Market Square Cinema and todays AMC North DeKalb.
Storey’s North DeKalb first opened as a single theatre in 1965. “Lord Jim,” starring Peter O’Toole, was the first film to run at North DeKalb. By 1976, the theater was changed over to a twin, by dividing the existing theater down the middle. This created two narrow theaters, each with a smaller screen.
In April of 1986, North DeKalb Mall was renovated and reopened with a new name, Market Square. I’m not sure how well that name ever stuck with those who had been shopping or visiting the movie theater for the past 20-plus years. The theater at Market Square changed to a 4 theater location, under ownership of Cineplex Odeon. Movie listings in the Atlanta newspapers called the theater Market Square 4.
AMC North DeKalb opened with 16 theaters in 1996 and that is the theater which remains and will be part of Lulah Hills.
Most of the mall, including the large space Rich’s and later Macy’s once occupied has now been demolished to make way for a live-work-play development called Lulah Hills. I haven’t been close enough to see the progress lately, but a December 8, 2025 article in Decaturish says the first phase of retail and multi-housing should be completed by December 2027.
The AMC theater. formerly part of North DeKalb Mall, seems to stay fairly busy, based a personal visit within the last year. Cinematreasures.org reports that as of September 2025, 5 of the original 16 theaters are no longer in use.
Please excuse my mix of the word theatre and theater. Although North DeKalb and Storey advertised their “theatre”, most other sources refer to movie theaters, including cinematreasures.org. It seems in the U.S., when referring to movies, theater is more widely accepted.