Showplace Theatre

1063 Grant Street,
Buffalo, NY 14207

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Related Websites

Showplace Theatre (Official)

Additional Info

Architects: Henry L. Spann

Functions: Concerts, Special Events

Previous Names: Unity Theatre

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 716.877.2200

Nearby Theaters

Showplace Theatre, Buffalo, NY

The Unity Theatre was opened in 1923 on the site of the Tri-It Theatre (which has its own page on Cinema Treasures). It was a second-run theatre in the Black Rock section of Buffalo, NY, not far from Buffalo State College. In 1971-1972 it was screening adult movies. On August 4, 1972 it was renamed Showplace Theatre and became a discount house with the first attraction being Gene Hackman in “The French Connection”. Last showed movies around 1993-1994.

It was renovated as a venue for concerts, but this closed around 2007. It reopened in late-2012 again as a concert venue.

Contributed by Loub

Recent comments (view all 17 comments)

Greg_Smith
Greg_Smith on January 26, 2012 at 7:00 pm

Last time I drove by The Showplace it had a for sale sign for anyone out there who might want to take a gamble on the movie business.

psmith102006
psmith102006 on June 4, 2012 at 2:04 pm

Something is going on with the theater. There is a new marquee above the doorways. There also is glass block windows. The graffiti is all cleaned up.

LouB
LouB on August 8, 2012 at 1:49 pm

link

This link shows a truck which has crashed into the marquee which is brought up in a previous comment.

tsar
tsar on July 27, 2013 at 9:41 pm

The above caption for the picture is incorrect. The Showplace stopped showing movies in 1993-94

LouB
LouB on March 10, 2014 at 8:37 am

article

This article deals with the reopening of the Showplace.

spectrum
spectrum on January 2, 2015 at 5:45 pm

It looks like currently the theatre is mainly rented out for events. Their webpage (http://www.showplacebuffalo.com/) does have a photo of the façade which has been nicely restored (Much better than the old photos in the cinematreasures gallery)

dallasmovietheaters
dallasmovietheaters on December 4, 2015 at 7:28 am

Architected by Henry L. Spann of Buffalo and opened in 1923. It actually replaced Buffalo’s Try-It Theatre at the same location owned by J.D. Parmelee.

psmith102006
psmith102006 on November 1, 2021 at 8:08 pm

Does anyone remember the rumor that a teenager had his testicles cut off by a gang in the mens room? Could of been late 1960’s. Might be just an urban legend?

rivest266
rivest266 on September 22, 2022 at 11:26 pm

Reopened as Showplace on August 4th, 1972, as a discount theatre. Ad posted. It tried adult movies in 1971-1972.

Trolleyguy
Trolleyguy on September 24, 2022 at 8:36 am

Once again having live events. Updated website link: Showcase

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