Loew's Spooner Theatre
961 Southern Boulevard,
Bronx,
NY
10459
961 Southern Boulevard,
Bronx,
NY
10459
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The Spooner Theatre first opened in 1910 under local ownership, but was soon purchased by Loew’s Inc. who also operated the nearby Boulevard Theatre. Because the Boulevard Theatre was somewhat larger and also closer to busy Westchester Avenue, the Spooner Theatre was a subsequent-run house for its entire lifetime, which lasted into the late-1960’s or early-1970s.
The building became a Kelly’s Furniture Store, then it was partly occupied by the inevitable Duane Reade Drug Store. By 2010, it was an El Mundo furniture store.
Contributed by
Warren G. Harris
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THE REAL ESTATE FIELD; Shuberts Buy Bronx Theatre in $900,000 Deal
NY Times April 24, 1914
The realty market was enlivened with a deal involving properties valued at about $900,000 yesterday, in which the larger part of the transaction involved the purchase of the Cecil Spooner Theatre, in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx, by the theatrical firm of Lee and Jacob Shubert. The theatre was leased by Charles E. Blaney for his wife Cecil Spooner, and this lease has been purchased by the Shuberts.
I walked by the Spooner this past week and noticed that Duane Reade has vacated the premises. There are still half a dozen retail stores occupying storefront space in the building, but the area that had been the main entrance to the theatre is now empty and available for rent/lease. If anyone’s interested, the realtor is Winick (www.winick.com). By the way, Duane Reade relocated just a few doors away at the intersection of Southern Blvd. and 163rd Street, in another historic old structure – the former Hunt’s Point Palace.
Loew’s Spooner can be seen in this photo.
The photo posted on Jun 3, 2008 is now at this link.
The Loew’s Spooner was Kelly’s Furniture store in this 1971 photo.
Passing the Spooner today, I noticed a “For Rent” sign in the window of Duane Reade.
I went into the old Loew’s Spooner this morning. It is now a department store named ‘El Mundo’. What used to be the balcony is now opened and full of cheap furniture. The amazing thing is that the bathroom for Ladies is almost completely intact. It’s hidden behind a curtain but the old door is there and it looks almost the same as when I saw it in 1965! There’s also two old columns that have tragedy and comedy figures on them downstairs. It’s bittersweet to see what’s left of what was a beautiful theater.
Great picture of Kelly Furniture with LOEWS SPOONER vertical sign still on it.
I recently paid a visit to El Mundo which is located in the former Spooner. I walk up stairs to the mezzenie area which was full of furniture and noticed that there was another staircase so I decided to go up and take a look. as I went up I noticed that the marble wainscoting was unpainted unlike the lower levels. When I got to the top I was in an area just infront of the projection booth and behind the balcony full of beds. You could see the entire auditorium from up there. I was shocked to see that it was mostly intact. The seats were all gone but and it was in very poor shape due to leaks and general neglect. It was painted a deep red. It must have been quite a theater. The Chester was more impressive to see abandon but this is far more intact. It appears that El Mundo only uses the lobby and the back of the main level as a sales floor and uses the rest as storage. I snapped a photo with my camera phone, its not great but it gives you some idea.
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Thanks for the photo Anothony P.