Argmore Theatre
1040 W. Argyle Street,
Chicago,
IL
60640
1040 W. Argyle Street,
Chicago,
IL
60640
3 people
favorited this theater
The Argmore was opened in 1913, and two years later, was acquired from its original independent operator by the Alfred Hamburbger circuit. It was located in the Edgewater neighborhood, near the intersection of Argyle Street and Kenmore Avenue, hence the theater’s name.
In 1922, the Gumbiner Brothers took over operation of the Argmore. Acquired by the Essaness circuit in the 30s, it continued to be operated by that chain until closing in the early 1950s.
The former theater building was later was converted over to retail use. It currently functions as a liquor store.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
I think I remember this theater. Though I lived nearly all my childhood on the South Side, we did live on Argyle St. for the summer of 1949 at 1121 W. Argyle St. That summer the city was tearing up the street, about two feet below street level. Regarding the Argmore Theatre, I remember going there once; I saw “Samson and Delilah,” starring Victor Mature. Never forgot it.
Ironically, in the description of the demise of of the Argmore above, it cites the “dawn(ing) of the television era” as a cause. At the building where we lived was the first time I ever saw television.
I hope somebody posts a photograph of the Argmore Theatre.
From the Chicago Tribune, March 13, 1915:
“ … The Alfred Hamburger Theatrical Enterprises has secured another North Side theater, having sub-leased through Mark Levy & Bro. from Charles Marsh Steward the Argmore Theatre, at the northwest corner of Argyle Street and Kenmore Avenue, for a term at an annual rent of $7,200. It has a seating capacity of 662.”
Recent photos of this theatre are HERE. When announced in 1913 the roof was to have a roof beer garden of sorts and all offices and apartments were to have metal flowerboxes. It was to be dedicated to “the better class of photoplays”. Its original manager was a Mr. Aronson, previously of the famous College Inn downtown. In 1931 it was one of a number of theaters bombed by the projectionists union. It later became part of the Essaness chain. Perhaps the most interesting detail nobody has touched on yet is that the Argmore was a mere 3 blocks away from the famed Essanay studios, and so was likely the theater of convenience for many of those silent stars.
Now that I look more closely, I was wrong, the auditorium is still there.
This theater was also on the Gumbiner circuit. Chicago Tribune, Jan 8, 1922 pg H18. “LEASES ARGMORE THEATER – Abe Gumbiner has leased from Gustav Hochstadter, through Mark Levy & Bro., the Argmore theater, a 660 seat movie in the Argmore building at the northwest corner of Argyle and Kenmore, for a term of years from April 1, 1923. He then bought the lease of Applebaum & Kahn and is now operating theater. He also operates eight other theaters in Chicago and Hammond.”
I had absolutely no idea that Foremost Liquors was formally a theatre. I lived on Argyle just East of here from 1980-`83.
This is why I love Cinema Treasures. There is always something new to learn.
Aside from the many times I was in Foremost, my regular “Super Mercado” was kitty corner from that.
Foremost had a rather large tin ceiling as I recall.
The neighborhood West of Sheridan was changing rapidly in 1980. From fast food & halfway houses to predominately Vietnamese. The Argyle “L” stop was remodeled with an Asian themed roof. Some dubbed the area “New Chinatown”.
This is a tad off topic, but Foremost Liquors also utilized another classic building as their main office. Nearby only blocks away from the Argmore site, at the S/W corner of Broadway & Berwyn.
Their offices were on the second floor and were very art deco inside as of 1985 or so. There was also a giant statue of their smiling bottle/logo in their inner lobby. I believe Matanky Realty then took over the space.
Next door was briefly the 2nd home to former Sheridan Rd. & Berwyn niteclub Coconuts.
On a recent visit, the friendly manager showed us the auditorium which is now used as storage space for the liquor store.
You can see what remains on this picture :
View link
Vintage view of the Argmore (with a Fred and Ginger movie!) here: Argmore Theater.
I’m very surprised how much of the theater’s look remains, in the storage area for Foremost. I never would imagine it’s been preserved that well. And agree that’s what I love about this site, learning about buildings and sites that I never realized were once theaters.