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Home » Theater Guide » Location » United States » Ohio » Athens » Varsity Theater

Varsity Theater

Athens, OH
19 S. Court Street
, Athens, OH 45701 United States
(map)
Status: Closed
Screens: Single Screen
Style: Art Moderne
Function: Restaurant
Seats: 550
Chain: Unknown
Architect: Unknown
Firm: Unknown
Add a photo for this theater!
Across the street from the Athena Theater in the 1970's. Usually kept cleaner than the Athena Theater. Large marquee over sidewalk featuring hundreds of chaser lights.
Contributed by bgraham

YOUR COMMENTS

 
There is a small photo of the Varsity on this page:
http://tinyurl.com/r52g9
posted by ken mc on Sep 1, 2006 at 2:53pm
Very cool photo. Thanx
posted by mikemovies on Sep 1, 2006 at 3:33pm
It's been close to two decades since I collected my diploma and said goodbye to Athens, so I'm having trouble remembering -- is this the theater that got turned into the world's largest Taco Bell?
posted by Don S on Sep 12, 2008 at 9:55am
To confirm what I wrote yesterday: yes, this lovely theater had the honor of being turned into the world's largest Taco Bell. It was already closed when I arrived in town, so I never got the chance to see a movie there.

I have also learned that the Taco Bell closed in 2007. No news on what has moved into the space...
posted by Don S on Sep 13, 2008 at 10:45am
1981 photo of the Varsity Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c35%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=7&catpagesize=25&ProductID=31593
1985 night photo of the Varsity Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c35%2c3%2c-1&catpagesize=25&ProductID=31595
posted by Chuck1231 on Apr 22, 2009 at 8:32pm
Boxoffice Magazine of September 24, 1949, included the Varsity in its list of recently opened theaters. The new house had 550 seats, and was being operated by Mike Chikiris.
posted by Joe Vogel on Apr 22, 2009 at 10:00pm
The address for the Varsity is 19 S. Court St., it is now Cranky Joe's Bar B Que Restaurant.
posted by Chuck1231 on Apr 22, 2009 at 11:41pm
Cranky Joe's BBQ of Athens went home with a win for Best Chicken

I research everything. LOL

This is another 1981 photo.

posted by Lost Memory on Jun 19, 2009 at 12:15pm
LM, you have too much free time on your hands!
posted by Don S on Jul 12, 2009 at 10:32pm
Actually, the Varsity was located in the current Chipotle location. The address is 41 South Court Street. Taco Bell was in the location before Chipotle.

Here is a link to a picture. Notice the brick work above the sign...
http://www.scripps.ohiou.edu/08midday/08spring/04072008-Chipotlepic.JPEG
posted by Kitch on Aug 10, 2009 at 6:53pm
Kitch would appear to be correct. The Chipotle building matches the Varsity/Taco Bell pictures, minus the marquee. Good catch.
posted by Don S on Aug 10, 2009 at 8:10pm
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