Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience. I do not have much faith on them on the basis of their designation track record for Queens, and the amount of Request For Evaluation forms (RFE) that go unacknowledged or rejected without a public hearing. I also reminisce to their false promise in landmarking the Trylon Theater. However, I am trying my best to remain hopeful and exercise the few legal means that I have as a historic preservationist (pursuing landmark status as one). If they were to reject calendaring it for a public hearing, it would then be my role to publicize their negligence in serving NYC citizens, et al.
It’s great that you’re a new addition to the neighborhood, but I regret hearing that the Ridgewood Theatre wasn’t there to serve you shortly after. It is a gem, and as Chair of Friends of Ridgewood Theatre, I would greatly appreciate all the help I can get in advocating for Individual Landmark status (facade) & Interior Landmark status (mostly intact theater lobby). Can you please sign our petition, post a comment, and forward it to your entire e-mail address book, encouraging them to do the same? I really need everyone’s help. This can take minutes. The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission must NOT stall any further. Borough-wide citizens always say how it’s their dereliction of public duty. This gem should be calendared for a public hearing ASAP. Thank you in advance!
Sorry to hear you are facing a similar scenario. Can the facade and interior be designated a landmark? Can you start an online petition through petitiononline.com? You are welcome to sign my petition, even though you are from out of state. Also, please post a comment and feel free to encourage your friends to sign it. I would value as much assistance as possible. Thanks!
Dangel, I have information on how you can restore those details most effectively. Please e-mail me at and specify who you are in the subject line. Thanks! – Michael Perlman
Thank you very much, John! If the UA Brandon Cinemas/Continental Theatre shutters shortly (which I hope it does not), it will likely boost business for the Cinemart. There will be less competition.
If you can circulate the petition link to your neighbors, family, & friends, and encourage signers to post comments, that would be very helpful. Thank you!
Saving a theater is indeed more difficult than saving a freestanding historic diner, but not impossible. I am still working on finding a new tenant or owner, as well as acquiring landmark status for the facade and lobby. I’ll never abandon my efforts or my sense of hope. Thank you for your positive feedback! “Movie Man” also has a nice ring to it. ;–)
John, it’s better having over 200 signatures with quality comments from citizens who care, than signers who sign it for the sake of it, and don’t post any wothwhile comments. Quality supercedes quantity. If you care very much about seeing additional signatures, then please consider circulating the petition link to your colleagues. Thank you!
I would refer to the theater’s style as Beaux Art, although can comprise of quite a few. I will let you know if I can come up with something more specific.
Generally speaking, when the citizens elect officials who aren’t in cohoots with developers or other greedy politicians. Check a politician’s campaign contributions, and see who they’re most heavily funded by. That should talk.
Hi Vincent! Are you interested in leasing or purchasing the Ridgewood Theatre, or know of anyone who is?
The area is up & coming, and a restored & renovated theater is a very promising opportunity to increase property values and the overall appeal of the entire neighborhood. The neighborhood has gradually improved in recent years.
I inserted 55-27 Myrtle Ave on the Dept of City Planning’s Census 2000 website, and the following are the most up to date demographic, socioeconomic, education, labor, housing characteristics, etc:
Cyndi, I sent you extensive helpful details via e-mail concerning the Ridgewood Theatre (also see my postings above), but haven’t heard from you. Please let me know your thoughts. Thank you!
Hi! I e-mailed you, but want to make sure you received it. I am a historic preservationist who is spearheading an effort to save the 1916 Ridgewood Theatre in NY by America’s foremost Thomas Lamb. It is a represenation of the long-demolished first American movie palace, Times Square’s Strand Theatre. Until the Ridgewood Theatre’s closing in March, it was the longest continuously operating theater in NY, and potentially countrywide. It is for lease or for sale, according to latest accounts. Please let me know if the following would be of interest to you, or if a colleague of yours may be interested: www.myspace.com/ridgewoodtheatre & View link You can reach me at Thank you!
I am a historic preservationist who is spearheading an effort to save the 1916 Ridgewood Theatre in NY by America’s foremost Thomas Lamb. It is a represenation of the long-demolished first American movie palace, Times Square’s Strand Theatre. Until the Ridgewood Theatre’s closing in March, it was the longest continuously operating theater in NY, and potentially countrywide. Please let me know if the following would be of interest to you, or if a colleague of yours may be interested: www.myspace.com/ridgewoodtheatre & View link You can reach me at Thanks!
It would be a matter of presenting a Ridgewood Theatre petition for people to sign. It would be best if it’s in the neighborhood. I do not think it should be done in front of the theater. If you know of some people who may be interested, please let me know.
On another note, in regard to the RKO Keith’s Richmond Hill, I am aware that the theater’s name was removed from the marquee. Hmm…
It’s an interesting assessment on the Daily News listings and “keeping hope alive,” but I am hoping to hear your progress reports on circulating the appeal to prospective tenants & buyers, the Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre MySpace site, and the petition to the public. That would be most helpful.
Also, does anyone wish to volunteer by standing within the vicinity of the Ridgewood Theatre (preferrably) & presenting a traditional offline petition to passersby? We need as many signatures as possible. The goal is over 1,000, and we have 186 online signatures as of this writing. If interested, please e-mail me at Remember, the future lies within your hands. Thanks! – Michael Perlman
The above article is dated May 28, 2008. The $14 million figure was reduced in June to $11.75 million, and it recently dropped to $9.5 million. Keep in mind that owner Tony Montalbano’s first preference would be leasing the property, considering his investment in March 2008. For up to date information, please follow & join Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre: www.myspace.com/ridgewoodtheatre
In addition, please lend your support by signing a petition to preserve this gem, which will increase the likelihood of creative adaptive reuse, which will ultimately raise property values in the neighborhood: View link Please post a comment, and tell your neighbors, family, & friends to contribute to a truly worthwhile cause. It only requires minutes. Thank you in advance!
P.S. I am a concerned NYC resident, and it’s alarming how many historic theaters have been lost. They merit adaptive reuse and restoration, and the Landmarks Commission should launch the initial steps in landmarking the site, and seeing who they know. That is what City council should do in WI.
Can you generate some press, and find out how much it’s being sold for, or how much the owner desires? You can help him broker a deal. I am not from WI. It would be much more powerful from a WI resident.
The Streetscapes reporter for the NY Times Real Estate section is Christopher Gray, who can be reached at Hope this helps!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience. I do not have much faith on them on the basis of their designation track record for Queens, and the amount of Request For Evaluation forms (RFE) that go unacknowledged or rejected without a public hearing. I also reminisce to their false promise in landmarking the Trylon Theater. However, I am trying my best to remain hopeful and exercise the few legal means that I have as a historic preservationist (pursuing landmark status as one). If they were to reject calendaring it for a public hearing, it would then be my role to publicize their negligence in serving NYC citizens, et al.
It’s great that you’re a new addition to the neighborhood, but I regret hearing that the Ridgewood Theatre wasn’t there to serve you shortly after. It is a gem, and as Chair of Friends of Ridgewood Theatre, I would greatly appreciate all the help I can get in advocating for Individual Landmark status (facade) & Interior Landmark status (mostly intact theater lobby). Can you please sign our petition, post a comment, and forward it to your entire e-mail address book, encouraging them to do the same? I really need everyone’s help. This can take minutes. The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission must NOT stall any further. Borough-wide citizens always say how it’s their dereliction of public duty. This gem should be calendared for a public hearing ASAP. Thank you in advance!
View link
Sorry to hear you are facing a similar scenario. Can the facade and interior be designated a landmark? Can you start an online petition through petitiononline.com? You are welcome to sign my petition, even though you are from out of state. Also, please post a comment and feel free to encourage your friends to sign it. I would value as much assistance as possible. Thanks!
View link
Dangel, I have information on how you can restore those details most effectively. Please e-mail me at and specify who you are in the subject line. Thanks! – Michael Perlman
Thank you very much, John! If the UA Brandon Cinemas/Continental Theatre shutters shortly (which I hope it does not), it will likely boost business for the Cinemart. There will be less competition.
If you can circulate the petition link to your neighbors, family, & friends, and encourage signers to post comments, that would be very helpful. Thank you!
Thank you too!
Saving a theater is indeed more difficult than saving a freestanding historic diner, but not impossible. I am still working on finding a new tenant or owner, as well as acquiring landmark status for the facade and lobby. I’ll never abandon my efforts or my sense of hope. Thank you for your positive feedback! “Movie Man” also has a nice ring to it. ;–)
John, it’s better having over 200 signatures with quality comments from citizens who care, than signers who sign it for the sake of it, and don’t post any wothwhile comments. Quality supercedes quantity. If you care very much about seeing additional signatures, then please consider circulating the petition link to your colleagues. Thank you!
Beaux Art continued through the 1920s in many parts of our city. The theater lobby has some Art Deco touches. Please explain what “hungeleiter” means.
Thank you for your e-mail! I will get back to you shortly.
I would refer to the theater’s style as Beaux Art, although can comprise of quite a few. I will let you know if I can come up with something more specific.
Generally speaking, when the citizens elect officials who aren’t in cohoots with developers or other greedy politicians. Check a politician’s campaign contributions, and see who they’re most heavily funded by. That should talk.
Hi Vincent! Are you interested in leasing or purchasing the Ridgewood Theatre, or know of anyone who is?
The area is up & coming, and a restored & renovated theater is a very promising opportunity to increase property values and the overall appeal of the entire neighborhood. The neighborhood has gradually improved in recent years.
I inserted 55-27 Myrtle Ave on the Dept of City Planning’s Census 2000 website, and the following are the most up to date demographic, socioeconomic, education, labor, housing characteristics, etc:
View link
Cyndi, I sent you extensive helpful details via e-mail concerning the Ridgewood Theatre (also see my postings above), but haven’t heard from you. Please let me know your thoughts. Thank you!
Hi! I e-mailed you, but want to make sure you received it. I am a historic preservationist who is spearheading an effort to save the 1916 Ridgewood Theatre in NY by America’s foremost Thomas Lamb. It is a represenation of the long-demolished first American movie palace, Times Square’s Strand Theatre. Until the Ridgewood Theatre’s closing in March, it was the longest continuously operating theater in NY, and potentially countrywide. It is for lease or for sale, according to latest accounts. Please let me know if the following would be of interest to you, or if a colleague of yours may be interested: www.myspace.com/ridgewoodtheatre & View link You can reach me at Thank you!
I am a historic preservationist who is spearheading an effort to save the 1916 Ridgewood Theatre in NY by America’s foremost Thomas Lamb. It is a represenation of the long-demolished first American movie palace, Times Square’s Strand Theatre. Until the Ridgewood Theatre’s closing in March, it was the longest continuously operating theater in NY, and potentially countrywide. Please let me know if the following would be of interest to you, or if a colleague of yours may be interested: www.myspace.com/ridgewoodtheatre & View link You can reach me at Thanks!
Okay, thank you, Peter!
It would be a matter of presenting a Ridgewood Theatre petition for people to sign. It would be best if it’s in the neighborhood. I do not think it should be done in front of the theater. If you know of some people who may be interested, please let me know.
On another note, in regard to the RKO Keith’s Richmond Hill, I am aware that the theater’s name was removed from the marquee. Hmm…
It’s an interesting assessment on the Daily News listings and “keeping hope alive,” but I am hoping to hear your progress reports on circulating the appeal to prospective tenants & buyers, the Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre MySpace site, and the petition to the public. That would be most helpful.
Also, does anyone wish to volunteer by standing within the vicinity of the Ridgewood Theatre (preferrably) & presenting a traditional offline petition to passersby? We need as many signatures as possible. The goal is over 1,000, and we have 186 online signatures as of this writing. If interested, please e-mail me at Remember, the future lies within your hands. Thanks! – Michael Perlman
The above article is dated May 28, 2008. The $14 million figure was reduced in June to $11.75 million, and it recently dropped to $9.5 million. Keep in mind that owner Tony Montalbano’s first preference would be leasing the property, considering his investment in March 2008. For up to date information, please follow & join Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre: www.myspace.com/ridgewoodtheatre
In addition, please lend your support by signing a petition to preserve this gem, which will increase the likelihood of creative adaptive reuse, which will ultimately raise property values in the neighborhood: View link Please post a comment, and tell your neighbors, family, & friends to contribute to a truly worthwhile cause. It only requires minutes. Thank you in advance!
Let’s remain hopeful this gem is not demolished. The name is even suggestive of its grand history.
Phenomenal news on various fronts!!! I commend your ingenuity. Thank you!
P.S. I am a concerned NYC resident, and it’s alarming how many historic theaters have been lost. They merit adaptive reuse and restoration, and the Landmarks Commission should launch the initial steps in landmarking the site, and seeing who they know. That is what City council should do in WI.
Can you generate some press, and find out how much it’s being sold for, or how much the owner desires? You can help him broker a deal. I am not from WI. It would be much more powerful from a WI resident.