How sad!!! Commack has really dwindled down in this "arena"....sniff! double sniff for the loss of the Arena!

They should have renovated and kept up with it...what's left, Anthony (our mayor) :), from the past or what is exciting now in Commack! Oh, that's right, we're the town known for having two Target stores! Oooh...how innovative! So, yes, good riddance to the smelly theater but who's taking care of our town and keeping it vibrate? We are just seeing places slip away with nonsense put in its place! Sad for us!

That is sad. The theatre was (is) the only entertainment in the area

Gee, you guys make it seem as though the town of Commack was defined by the Multiplex. In actuality, it was a decrepit, outdated movie theater which drew a less than desirable clientele - especially after dark. Check out any police blotter during the past 20 years and you will find all sorts mention of the Commack Multiplex. From crimes as horrific as the baby found discarded in a bathroom stall in 1996 to crimes as mundane as a vandalized automobile.
Jason, if you think the theatre was the only entertainment in the area, you need to widen your horizons. If you're seeking a movie theater, the Regal Cinemas in Deer Park is state-of-the-art. Take a ride through Huntington and Northport. Spend time near the water and dine al fresco at any number of restaurants. Catch a play in town. Take a walk through Port Jefferson.
No, I don't grieve for the passing of this building. Commack will survive without this eyesore. Good Riddance!

It Will be missed for sure. I use to go their all the time. Even when I came back to visit. We have a nice mutiplex by us. But the commack one will be missed.

Now if they could only get rid of the Commack Motor Inn!

CommackMom: That's the point...you are sending us out of our own town to go to the movies and dine, etc. Why can't we have the "state of the art" anything here in our own town. We used to be known for some exciting places and now...we need to go elsewhere because everything is just "let go" in Commack and is gone forever! Of course, no one wants to have dirty, filthy, low-class buildings in town but can't Commack step up to the plate and have some classy places too??

God Bless America.

I lived in Dix Hills from 1984 to 1996. I went to see movies at Commack Cinemas a lot during that time. I agree that Commack Cinemas attracted a lot of hoodlums and hooligans. For that reason alone, it is good to hear that the cinema has shut its doors. Suburbanites should not be bothered by hoodlums and hooligans. A Lowes hardware store would be a good addition to Commack. Also, the CostCo in Commack is also a good asset. And there is a McDonalds down the road just north of the cinemas on Commack Road which is next to a A&P/Waldbaums Supermarket. Commack has a lot to offer. Commack is a great place to raise children. I must add, Dix Hills and some parts of Deer Park are nicer to live than Commack.

I may be missing something here, but I've never viewed Commack as an 'entertainment capital'. Last time I was 'entertained' in Commack was back in the late 70's when I enjoyed Tiffany's Wine & Cheese. Annie, I'm at a loss to understand what 'exciting' places have vanished from the landscape.
Now, let's not focus on what we DON'T have. Look at what we HAVE. Commack, to its credit, can boast an excellent school district. We all certainly pay dearly for it, but our children attend fine schools. We have a plethora of conveniences at our fingertips: easy access to parkways, nearly every fast food chain, beautiful spacious supermarkets, Macy's and Sears, just about every big box store (yes, two Targets!) you could think of. No town is perfect. Just think about those poor folk on Eaton's Neck. They have to schlep miles to visit OUR Costco, OUR Home Depot, OUR Macy's, OUR Petco, OUR Commack Motor Inn !!

Hey, CommackMom, you are the one that brought up how us Commackians can go to other towns for dinner and a movie, etc. ...your own words! I don't consider fast food chains (nor Sears, for that matter) anything to boast about. Oh, sure we have a nice place to live but those that grew up here remember the real joy of what we used to have, and yes, there was entertainment...too bad you missed out on those days!

I dont think you can judge a town by how much entertainment exists within its boundaries. I could care less that there isnt entertainment close enough as everyone has a car. Not sure what entertainment you are talking about Annie, but its irrelevant to living here. People make their own fun and if you want or need entertainment drive a few miles. I dont see it as a major issue.

No one said it was a "major issue", it is just sad to see all the good things we used to have here shriveled up and gone. Those that grew up here in the Arena and drive-in movie days can attest to that and they have! It would be nice to see your friends, Commack families and neighbors at a function in your own neighborhood (not talking school related events) as we used to many years ago - instead of scattering about in other towns to find things to do!

Commack Arena has been gone for fifteen years. Dont know of too many drive inns left, besides cant really socialize or have fun there. Other than clubs or restaurants dont know how you would be able to see your friends or neighbors at an "entertainment venue." Not exactly sure what an entertainment venue would be. You'll have to enlighten me to let me know what those are.

Does anyone remember Buddy's Ice Cream Parlor?

Annie I take exception to your comment directed toward me: 'too bad you missed out on those days' with respect to the 'joy' that was once available in Commack. So you know, I've lived in Commack for the past 25 years and prior to that, I lived in the neighboring East Northport for 14 years. So, that's a total of 39 years living within 3 miles of Townline Road - I think it's safe to say I qualify as a 'Commackian'.
I agree 100% with David. We have all the entertainment we need within close driving distance to our town. It needn't be right outside our backdoor. I wrote earlier about all the 'conveniences' we have in Commack. I wasn't trying to insinuate that Sears or fast food restaurants were our modern-day social meccas - I was merely pointing out the conveniences we have in our town.
Both David & I have pressed you to elaborate further regarding all the entertainment places of yore that are now 'shriveled up and gone'. Surely you can do better than the Commack Arena and a drive-in. Do tell. I am curious as to what I've missed all those years ago.

Well, I've got you beat on the years here in Commack...maybe that's the difference! I don't have to reiterate what everyone else has stated about the good times and places from the past. You can read comments and posts from all the other articles out there. I'm sure you have happier memories than what you elude to. So, here's to you staying in Commack to eat, drink and be merry!

I once ate, drank and was merry but all that got me was arrested. Thats what happens when you cross dress.

I think much of this has to do with perception and the times. Granted, when I was in my early teens I appreciated the freedom I had when my parents dropped me off at the roller rink and the flea market. Later it was fun sneaking some beer into the drive-in. In my early 20's I enjoyed the club scene at Baby Hughies and spending a romantic date at Tiffany's. But now that I'm an adult, and don't have to rely upon getting a 'ride' to and from the roller rink, I have no hesitation to get in the car and drive to the next town for entertainment. I have no problem driving 40 miles to NYC where there is EVERYTHING at my disposal. I'm in my early 50's and frankly, a drive-in, a roller rink and eating a pickle at a flea market holds no allure. I'd rather shop at the current day King Kullen and Target shopping center then head off in the evening to a Broadway show. I enjoy all the conveniences Commack has to offer (which I stated in a previous post) - including close (but not too close) proximity to Manhattan. The best of both worlds!
Time has a way of making the past seem better than it was. Annie, ask yourself, do you *really* still want to go to Buddy's?

LOL @ Commack Mom. Dont knock eating a pickle at a flea market. It all depends on the technique as to whether it qualifies for entertainment.

See everyone makes their own entertainment! I agree with you wholeheartedly.

At Commack Mom - it was me who asked if anyone of you "Commackians" remembered Buddy's.....and, okay now I will really test you, why did they close?????

Favorite Commack Multiplex memory....Dead newborn in the bathroom (Nov. 96) !!! Ahhhh Good times!!! That place attracted all the wrong people....Can't wait for LOWES!!!

Just what Long Island needs...another big box hardware chain. Is the Lowes in Bayshore too far of a drive?? I know the Commack Multiplex wasn't Lincoln Center by any stretch of the imagination...but at least it was a source of entertainment. I went there plenty of times in the 90s and 00s and was never attacked by hoodlums. No culture anymore...

Commack Multiplex equals Culture? LOLOL. Umm Mary it matters little what is put there, although of course it would have been nice if someone had bought the property and upgraded the theater. Im sure they lost alot of business ever since Tanger opened. The theaters there are beautiful.Not sure what you mean by no culture anymore.

I have lived in Commack for 20 years and his place although convenient was nothing short of a dump all along. Back in the 80 and 90' s it was even DANGEROUS to venture there. I'm glad to see it go but not happy to see a Loews which will drive the final nail in the traffic coffin for this area.

isn't this the theatre where there was a shooting back in the day during a Boyz in da Hood showing.. ??? I went there once and never went back

I worked here as a teenager and they sucked. The managers collected the money from the register, told us managers used to steal only to be rehired again. It was said to be haunted. They reused the popcorn. I'll never forget how bad it was. Nobody wants to hear "For 50 cents more, you can get a large drink," but they made you say it over and over. The sign said they sold milkshakes and coffee but they didn't make them. I found out its past, plus finding pictures of my former co-workers peeing in the trashcans was disgusting. I am so happy this place is closed even though I don't live on crappy Long Island anymore.

As a journalism grad and complete know-it-all, you should probably include this:http://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/23/nyregion/security-guard-is-wounded-in-shooting-at-a-movie-theater.html

It's really weird that the managers refuse to give their names but can you blame them?

So many memories I saw my first movie there