West Milford - To Bev Ollearo going to the movies was a special date. “When you grew up in the 40s and 50s, you remember the beautiful movies,” said Ollearo, 78. “A movie date was a big deal.” West Milford residents are losing their movie theatre Sunday when the Abby Cinema closes its doors and ends over 30 years of movie date nights in the township. Although it’s had different owners over the years, the space has been a movie theatre since the ShopRite plaza was built sometime in the 1970s. It was one of the first multiplexes in New Jersey, designed and built from day one to have multiple movies. And Ollearo continued to go to the movies long after they were dates. She said she goes to the theatre sometimes three times a week, in part to help keep the theatre in West Milford. It’s economical, says Ollearo, at $5.50 for seniors all the time as well as for everyone else for matinees. And they are pretty good movies too, all first-run. “They usually have good movies showing so I’d go see them all,” she said.” No one is saying just why the theatre is closing. Business hasn’t been booming but it hasn’t been bad either, according to Jake Mathews, the theatre’s manager for the past two years. “We’ve been holding our own,” said Mathews, who in addition to losing his job is sad to see the theatre go. “I have loyalty to the theatre. I don’t want to see it go.” He thought the lease wasn’t renewed by Inserra, the owners of the plaza and the ShopRite Supermarket. Calls to Inserra, located in Mahwah, were not returned. Nor was a message left at the theatre for the owners. So people speculated that since business may not have been too good, the owners didn’t renew when the lease ran out. Others suggested that Inserra has other plans for the plaza and didn’t offer a renewal. Jimmy the Barber, whose shop is in the same plaza, said he has a month to month lease with Inserra and it’s been that way for 15 years. “There’s always a little apprehension with this situation. They can end it at any time,” said Jimmy. He’s heard the same rumblings as everyone else but he didn’t know why the theatre was closing either. But for Ollearo, it’s more than just a business decision. She looks forward to going to the movies in her hometown. And now that option is gone. “It’s much better than sitting home and watching a movie,” she said. “The Blockbuster was gone without any notice and now we’re losing our movie theatre.