Grove Theater

The address for the Grove Theatre as 76 W. Merric Road, Freeport, NY.

The Grove was operated by the Century Circuit for most if not all of its life. Century also ran the Freeport Theatre. I don't recall a Century's Sunrise in Freeport, but I suppose it could have been a later name for the Freeport.

A current photo of the former Grove Theatre can be seen here.

1968
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I've often wondered about the name "Grove." Could some of the theatre's interior decor have been lushly tropical, ala the famous Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Los Angeles? It might have been something similar to Century's Patio in Brooklyn, which had a Meditteranean patio and display fountain in the foyer. In fact, if the Grove was built by Century, the theatre might have had the same architectural team as the Patio--R. Thomas Short and William Rau. But then again, "Grove" might have just been in honor of some local street or square.

This is a postcard picture of the Grove Theater.

This is a photo of Merrick Road. You can see the Grove Theater in the background. Date with photo was 1928.

The theatre was located near the corner of Merrick Road and Grove Street, hence its name. The Grove first opened on February 10th, 1927, with the Norma Shearer film "Up-Stage," and several vaudeville acts, with music provided by a resident "symphony" orchestra and an Austin organ. The owners were A.H. Schwartz and his then business partner, Henry Clay Miner. A newspaper report claimed that "The theatre is beautiful in its simplicity, spacious yet so handsomely furnished and decorated as to appear most cosy and comfortable. The decorations are Egyptian, with goldplate and bronze much in evidence."

Grove Street was renamed in honor of local resident and well known bandleader Guy Lombardo some years ago.

Unfortunately, the link used by Lost Memory no longer seems to be in operation but the postcard image and the 1925 construction site can be seen on Long Island Memories.According to that site the theatre was under construction for several years and only opened in 1928.

Possibly not this particular theatre, but the following information relates to its close proximity:

December 1, 1917 issue of the Real Estate Record and Guide

1916 - Theater and apartment located at Merrick Road and Grove Street, Freeport, NY, designed by architect C. Howard Crane.

Information provided by Hugh Goodman