Strand Theatre

A 1929 view of the exterior, with "The Unholy Night" as current movie and "On With the Show" upcoming: www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/strandrv.jpg

Here's a local.live.com view of 227 Sunrise Highway as it exists today. I'd say this is the same building - although it appears that the stage housing at the rear of the structure has been demolished leaving only the front portion of the building.

I've driven past numerous times and thought this might have been the site of this theater. I'll have to take note of what currently occupies the structure next time I pass.

I went to the former site of the old Strand in Rockville Center today and discovered that I was mistaken about the identity of the building I identified above as the possible remnants of the former theater. The building above (which houses a Sleepy's mattress showroom) is actually 221 Sunrise Highway and can be glimpsed in Warren's 1929 photo at far left.

Here's a shot that I took before I realized I was mistaken about the building. Note the two vertical gutters that run down along the front edges of the building and the fireplug to the right of the structure.... you can see both of these elements in Warren's photo.

Unfortunately, 227 Sunrise Hwy is now a commuter parking lot for the LIRR station just behind Sunrise Hwy and the Strand's status is properly noted as "Closed/Demolished."

Warren... May I copy your 1929 photo for inclusion in my scrapbook? I'll be sure to give you proper credit for unearthing the image.

Sorry... Here's that photo I wanted to link to in my last post.

Yes, Ed, permission granted...And can someone explain why Queens and Long Island have so many Sleepy's bedding stores? They have become as widespread as Duane Reade and Rite-Aid. Could they be a front for something else? One doesn't buy a new mattress every day. Some are advertised as lasting a lifetime.

Warren, my wife said the exact same thing to me when we drove by this particular Sleepy's last week! Thanks for the "OK!"

Here's something that the Strand had in common with a bunch of other theatres in Brooklyn and Queens. It was part of the Subway Circuit. A summer presentation of live performances. Interesting because this theatre was never air conditioned before it was demolished, which always surprised me since it had a modern marquee.