Village Theatre

820 Orange Avenue,
Coronado, CA 92118

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Showing 26 - 35 of 35 comments

TikiGardener
TikiGardener on May 5, 2007 at 9:55 pm

I worked at the Village theater in the mid 1980’s. By this point it was in decline. But being the only theater on the island, it was a central point of community. On Tuesday nights there was a discount night. I believe it was either one or two dollars to be able to see both movies offered. They never got the Neon sign to work, but they did repaint the signs background colors which was quite impressive. If you look at the picture, there is a small marquee poster box on the wall facing the Island Dry Cleaners. This storefront ( a hobby shop called Special Models then ) was possibly a soda fountain at one time. It had a set of double doors that opend out onto the entryway of the theater. And there was a riser in the floor that had the exact outline one would suspect a soda fountain counter would look like. With a marquee poster box inside of the store, I came to the conclusion that the two were possibly related to each other.

On a side note, one of the nastiest injuries I ever incurred was while cleaning the ice machine at the end of a shift one night. As I cleaned I hit the underside of the counter with my finger. It hurt, especially when I realised I had embedded a ¾ long splinter of wood under my finger nail! Had to go to the emergency room to get that out!

Joe Freeman
Joe Freeman on January 20, 2007 at 10:16 pm

Nothing would thrill me more than seeing the Village Theater restored and reopened as what it originally was, a traditional single-screen neighborhood movie palace. I’d happily contribute to a fund for undertaking such a venture.

astrohbeck
astrohbeck on January 20, 2007 at 12:46 pm

I encourage you to do so. It would be awesome if the village theatre was reopened.

astrohbeck
astrohbeck on January 20, 2007 at 12:46 pm

I encourage you to do so. It would be awesome if the village theatre was reopened.

Simon Overton
Simon Overton on January 20, 2007 at 8:03 am

My wife were on Coronado to visit our Navy son and saw the Village Theatre sitting there looking very lonely, sad and closed.
Its interesting facade is terribly shabby and needs some “TLC."
The adjacent cleaners owner told me that the Village Theatre has been closed for some months and the owners are quite elderly and want to sell the place.
WHAT’S HAPPENING OUT THERE? … We () would love to move there and reopen the place! Hello…is anyone awake?

astrohbeck
astrohbeck on October 22, 2006 at 3:31 pm

I’d like to know who to contact in order to rent the theater for about 3 days possibly.

Thank you.

Joe Freeman
Joe Freeman on May 27, 2005 at 11:46 am

As the only movie theater in the peninsula city of Coronado (which is nearly an island), it’s hard for me to understand how the Village cannot attract enough business as a standard movie theater to stay afloat indefinitely, and without resorting to gimmickry. The Village is within easy walking distance of hundreds of houses and apartments, and the next closest theaters cannot be reached on foot since they are on the other side of a large bridge that (I believe) does not permit pedestrian traffic. Furthermore, parking near the Village is easy, it’s close to many restaurants, coffee houses and other businesses, and best of all, the Village is a beautiful old building in a beautiful old, well-preserved village. What could be more ideal?

danab
danab on December 13, 2004 at 12:22 pm

To whom it may concern,
I drive by this theatre twice a day and appreciate that it is still here but surprised that it is not in use. I have some very fun and profitable ideas that i would like to share with whom ever is heading up the re-opening of this historic treasure. Please contact me if you are interested.

Thank you,
Dana Brewer

fcanha
fcanha on July 21, 2004 at 6:13 pm

Hi Edward,

I was wondering if you could be more specific about which Community Development Agency has reached an agreement with the owners of this theatre. I was down there yesterday trying to find some contact information in order to “pitch” an idea I have for this theatre.

Could you possible help with this?

I would like get in contact with the specific city department handling this for the next 20 years as a possible new operator.

Please advise.

Thank you in advance,

edward
edward on April 3, 2004 at 11:28 pm

Village Theatre to be Revived

Another cherished but currently unused property in the downtown district will soon be revitalized. The City’s Community Development Agency has reached an agreement with the owners of the Village Theatre to revive the landmark facility and operate it for the next 20 years. The current owner is negotiating a lease with a new operator that would show first-run movies at the theatre. Once an operator is selected, plans to renovate the interior will get underway.

The theatre has graced Orange Avenue since opening night in 1948. Sold to new owners in 1950, the theatre was open for business until 2000, when it was temporarily shut down. Over the years, the 600-seat facility was improved and repaired on several occasions. In 1968, the standard two projector operation was replaced with an automated projector. Stay tuned for more information later this year.