Alvin Theatre
1612-1614 W. Chicago Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60622
1612-1614 W. Chicago Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60622
3 people
favorited this theater
Located in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood, the Alvin opened in around 1913, and sat 540. The theater was originally built for the Lynch circuit and later was part of the Balaban & Katz chain. The Alvin was operating as a Spanish-language movie house during the 70s. The former theater building was until recently used as a retail store.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 19 comments)
I saw my first movies at the Alvin – they excelled at triple features in the 60s!. I also worked there one summer in the 60s – my first paycheck was aboutn $86 and change. I preferred it to the Hub because it was smaller and closer to where I lived – Chicago and Ashland. I still go back to the old neighborhood and yes, the Alvin was turned into a clothing store. I hope it’s resurrected as the neighborhood seems to be going that way.
The Alvin Theater is listed in a 12/1/74 article in the Chicago Tribune about the Spanish-language movie houses of Chicago.
Loopnet still has the ad posted, but says the building is no longer available. Maybe in escrow or they took it off the market.
Often went there as a kid in the 60’s. Thought it was weird the Hub and Alvin so close to each other but gave you a choice of movies. Plenty of good eats near at Braverman’s. Also near was Todd’s Burgers. Todd opened the place out of High School in the mid 60’s. Was almost next to the ALvin but moved down Chicago Av. Also at Chicago and Ashland was Helen’s Grill. a 7 seat lunch counter. Burger and chips, no fries … Or Goldblatt’s for the lunch counter or just grab a Green River at the Andie’s Candies.
Andie’s Candies. That place was as cold as a meat locker and they had the COLDEST water too. Braverman’s,..Green River…yes, I had forgoten about those places. Woolworth’s was a good place to grade an RC and a plate of fries for a quick lunch. Thanks for the memory jolt!
Here is a 1982 view of the Alvin:
http://tinyurl.com/d8slpe
Compare the 1982 photo to the Loopnet photo posted in December 2006:
http://tinyurl.com/c7ewmm
Did we need that link posted again?
Here’s a picture of the Alvin from yesterday.
View link
i walk past the (former) ALVIN THEATRE a couple times a year, when me & wife Claire get a yearning for a slice at Hoosier Mama’s Pie bakery right next door. recall last year (2011) people there talking ALVIN building was on the market