Claremont Theatre
3228 N. Clark Street,
Chicago,
IL
60657
3228 N. Clark Street,
Chicago,
IL
60657
2 people
favorited this theater
This Lake View neighborhood movie theater, which opened in the early 1910s, sat around 625, and was located not far from the somewhat larger Buckingham Theatre, which was home to the popular Organic Theatre Company for much of the 80s and 90s (now located in suburban Evanston).
After closing decades ago as a movie house, the Claremont was converted to retail use. Today it is home to the Alley alternative shopping center.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater
Recent comments (view all 16 comments)
Wow, thanks for the pics, BWChicago. Wasn’t that building the location of Guitar Center in the 80s?
Here’s an answer that’s a little late. Yes, that location was the Guitar Center before The Alley.
The Alley was previously accessed off of what else, the alley on Belmont. West of the Dunkin Donuts parking lot.
Which I’m told you should never park in, even when you are GOING to Dunkin Donuts.
A friend of mine bought his used 12 string bass at that Guitar Center.
I think it was bi-level then, not sure about now.
There was also some type of theatre building just a bit further West on Belmont on the North Side of the street. Not as far West at Clarke’s Diner.
It was torn down about 3 years ago, after standing vacant for a while. Haven’t figured out what it was called yet.
Julian
Here are some additional photos. That’s a griffin on the roof.
http://tinyurl.com/dcmvco
Don’t believe those are original.
I believe you are correct. The Alley actually sells smaller versions of griffins, gargoyles & columns.
They just lucked out that the building’s terra cotta kind of matched their wares.
Here is a 1982 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/dkbzte
Here’s one of my pictures of the Claremont (The Alley) from May 23, 2008:
View link
The interior is very intact. Amazing architecture. I went in there about a month ago and everything was in there execpt for a few things. The store is huge + the theatre! The store not only takes this big theatre up but 5 other buildings!