Ritz Theater
126 West Liberty Avenue,
Covington,
TN
38019
126 West Liberty Avenue,
Covington,
TN
38019
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Completely restored Art Deco theater in western Tennessee, not too far from Memphis. One block from the Court House Square.
While keeping the original art deco designs and colors in place, in completely restoring the theater, the Sellers changed the upper level to a dinner theater by providing level sections (landings) as the floor generally sloped down from back to front. The lower level has been made flat for use as one or more stores, and has been used as an antique shop with a main section and sixteen 10' x 10' stalls. A large kitchen with almost 100% stainless steel appliances has been added on a mezzanine level. Either the upper or the lower level can be used as a restaurant. Also, thanks to the Sellers, the theater can be converted back to a movie theater without undue difficulty.
The suburban community is also restoring and refurbishing the downtown, including adding matching new buildings, in accordance with a master plan.
Contributed by
Gerald P. Esmer
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
Photo of the Ritz Theatre.
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Color photo of the Ritz Theatre.
http://www.roadsidenut.com/ritz1103.jpg
Chuck, thanks for the exceptional photo. I had to laugh, because it makes the building seem very big. I remember standing on the sidewalk and resting both hands on the edge of the marquee: it must not be much over 7'-6" above the pavement. When I last saw the Ritz, it was being used as a vending machine storage warehouse. All the doors were unlocked and no one was around, so I made myself at home. Everything from the theatre days was still in place, including the seats, but there were various coin-op machines in the aisles, on the stage, in the lobby, in the balcony etc.
Here is a recent photo of the Ritz Theater.
The Ritz is up for sale, $475,000:
http://tinyurl.com/8ujgyu
The Ritz is listed in 1955 with 733 seats.
1981 photo of the Ritz Theatre.
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1986 photo of the Ritz Theatre, Lot more colorful than in 1981.
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my parents moved from memphis to covington in 1985.that year some one was still trying to make a go of the ritz as a movie theater showing second run movies… but i think that did not last long.
Gary, it must have closed shorty after your parents moved to Covington, it was closed in 1986.
yes chuck that sounds about right…seems like by the second time i visited them there it was closed.