While there’s been a push in recent years to build suburban megaplexes, theaters in or close to the city — Cloverleaf, Willow Lawn and the Ridge — have closed.

Meanwhile, the Westhampton has managed to stay open by filling a niche as the place to see low-budget, foreign or independent films. Apparently, that hasn’t been easy. Audiences, though loyal, have been less consistent in numbers. And insiders say the handwriting has been on the wall for some time.

Westhampton’s general manager, Elaine Browder, declines to comment on the closing and refers calls to Regal Entertainment Group. A Regal spokesman was unavailable for comment before press time.

But Todd Schall-Vess, general manager of the Byrd Theatre, stresses: “It’s not a rumor.”

Those in the theater community have thought it only a matter of time before the Westhampton would close, Schall-Vess says. In part, if not most significantly, he blames the theater’s demise on the city, especially for charging businesses what he says are exorbitant taxes that are, in some cases, more than double those of neighboring counties.

“The fate of the independent theater in America has been in danger for some time,” Schall-Vess says. “What Westhampton’s closing is an indication of is a lack of vision on the city’s part” to provide enough incentives like parking and other auxiliary resources to keep city theaters in business.

Meantime, in anticipation of Westhampton’s closing, Schall-Vess says the Byrd will look at ways to expand its place — perhaps with more independent, even first-run films — among Richmond audiences. “I can definitely say that we’re seriously looking at trying to pick up that niche.”

— Brandon