“The reasons for this closure are complex and, sadly, reflect a wider trend affecting venues across our area and the nation, it’s the perfect storm of rising costs, rising wages, margins getting shrunk, and unfortunately it feels like a bit of a change in direction in the whole night life scene…” ~ Jack Jay
The Empire has been owned by the Jay family for the last 70 years.
Currently owned by the Philadelphia Neshoba County Arts Council and operated as the “Congress of Country Music” Here is a link to the organization’s theater restoration web page:
The address is incorrect. It’s just Main Street, not East Main Street
Demolished, there’s (of course) a Walmart Superstore there, now.
Looks to be law offices as of 2023.
The artist Lin Emery passed away in 2021 at 94, the building is currently vacant.
Closed again in 2025.
“The reasons for this closure are complex and, sadly, reflect a wider trend affecting venues across our area and the nation, it’s the perfect storm of rising costs, rising wages, margins getting shrunk, and unfortunately it feels like a bit of a change in direction in the whole night life scene…” ~ Jack Jay
The Empire has been owned by the Jay family for the last 70 years.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4759dwxkqo
https://www.theempiregy.com/
At the moment, it’s been converted to a single 1326-seat live performance space - https://oceanatheater.com/about-us/
I feel it’s a shame when a theater gets twinned or more. But if that’s what it takes to stay in business…
Demolished.
Address?
The Google Sat images show there’s not much left beyond the facade.
Currently serves as The Rock Metaphysical Center.
As far as I can tell, this building no longer exists.
This building has not been demolished, at least not as of 2024, according to Google Street imagery.
Here.
Demolished.
Greatly remolded, is now the police department.
Currently being renovated.
https://www.krtv.com/neighborhood-news/hi-line/progress-continues-on-restoring-the-roxy-theatre-in-shelby
Now the office of an accountant.
Currently owned by the Philadelphia Neshoba County Arts Council and operated as the “Congress of Country Music” Here is a link to the organization’s theater restoration web page:
http://www.pncarts.org/theatre.php
Google Street View images dated 2023 show this building still standing; it was the red brick building on the corner that was demolished in 1999.
The actual address is 220 1st St NORTH, not SOUTH.
Currently retail.
Incorrect address. 648 Main Street is correct.
https://gempioche.com/
Now an antique mall…
Demolished.
The exterior of the cinema has now been beautifully restored.