Those of us who are interested in exploring the Keith’s before demolition should really try to organize together and find some way to get in, preferably with permission. It’s important that ALL parts of the building safe to explore are photographed, and anything lying around not in the landmarked areas be saved. It would even be awesome if some of us could save the plaster decor and other architectural odds and ends which will only be destroyed.
Once Boymelgreen starts demolition, a great part of history will be lost forever and we can at least try to do something beforehand!
Also, as of this past summer, Eckerd and Macybed are both gone and it has sat empty. I would HARDLY be surprised if a Korean restaurant popped up, as if we need another among the twenty others already on that block.
-Tom
Hi Ed,
Yep, the building was around one story high and connected the theatre and the other building opposite the parking lot (previously a Chinese restaurant which was there for a few decades.)I assume Genovese (the owner of the franchise or however that works) bought the Reception building and demolished it to make parking space.
I’m wondering if anyone has pictures of the Quartet before it was gone? I can hardly remember what it looked like, except for the glass doors in front and the Wig shop which was housed in the Macybed portion. The Wig shop is now a couple blocks down in another complex.
Feel free to email me at if you have questions, pictures, or more info.
-Tom
I also can’t find the newer theater which was moved to the upper level of the shopping center, also free-standing, after the original building was reused. This is where I usually go to watch films locally.
I’ve always lived a few blocks away from this theatre. The last film I saw there was SPACE JAM when I must have been in 3rd grade or so. My father said to me, “Wanna stay home from school? Let’s go watch a movie.” With a little common sense you’ve probably already figured out that I’m not very old. Because of that, I can barely even remember the quartet before it was converted into retail space a few years ago. After reading Mike69’s story I am deeply saddened. Old architecture and the ornate-ness of times gone by have always intruiged me and it is heartbreaking to know that in recent years when there is more knowledge of the importance of preserving history that such a beautiful interior was destroyed as he described. The establishment and basically any aging structure in Flushing has taken a backseat to the development of the area which I am at odds with. I’d much rather have a slightly run-down neighborhood with historical structures than an economically sound neighborhood with new structures and storefronts which are not in the English language.
I just home Boymelgreen does a good job in preserving what’s left of RKO Keith’s. Just the fact that ANY of it will be demolished is already upsetting me.
On a trivial note, my father tells me that back in the 60s/70s him and his friends called the quartet “The Itch” because the fabric on the seats were very itchy according to him.
Also, the building to the left housed The Reception House where my parents had their wedding reception in 1980. This establishment has ever since inhabited the building where “Villa Bianca” previously was, further up Northern Blvd.
Those of us who are interested in exploring the Keith’s before demolition should really try to organize together and find some way to get in, preferably with permission. It’s important that ALL parts of the building safe to explore are photographed, and anything lying around not in the landmarked areas be saved. It would even be awesome if some of us could save the plaster decor and other architectural odds and ends which will only be destroyed.
Once Boymelgreen starts demolition, a great part of history will be lost forever and we can at least try to do something beforehand!
Also, as of this past summer, Eckerd and Macybed are both gone and it has sat empty. I would HARDLY be surprised if a Korean restaurant popped up, as if we need another among the twenty others already on that block.
-Tom
Hi Ed,
Yep, the building was around one story high and connected the theatre and the other building opposite the parking lot (previously a Chinese restaurant which was there for a few decades.)I assume Genovese (the owner of the franchise or however that works) bought the Reception building and demolished it to make parking space.
I’m wondering if anyone has pictures of the Quartet before it was gone? I can hardly remember what it looked like, except for the glass doors in front and the Wig shop which was housed in the Macybed portion. The Wig shop is now a couple blocks down in another complex.
Feel free to email me at if you have questions, pictures, or more info.
-Tom
I also can’t find the newer theater which was moved to the upper level of the shopping center, also free-standing, after the original building was reused. This is where I usually go to watch films locally.
Does anyone have pictures of the theater right before it was gutted? I can barely remember it was it was gutted when I was a little tyke.
Thank you.
I’ve always lived a few blocks away from this theatre. The last film I saw there was SPACE JAM when I must have been in 3rd grade or so. My father said to me, “Wanna stay home from school? Let’s go watch a movie.” With a little common sense you’ve probably already figured out that I’m not very old. Because of that, I can barely even remember the quartet before it was converted into retail space a few years ago. After reading Mike69’s story I am deeply saddened. Old architecture and the ornate-ness of times gone by have always intruiged me and it is heartbreaking to know that in recent years when there is more knowledge of the importance of preserving history that such a beautiful interior was destroyed as he described. The establishment and basically any aging structure in Flushing has taken a backseat to the development of the area which I am at odds with. I’d much rather have a slightly run-down neighborhood with historical structures than an economically sound neighborhood with new structures and storefronts which are not in the English language.
I just home Boymelgreen does a good job in preserving what’s left of RKO Keith’s. Just the fact that ANY of it will be demolished is already upsetting me.
On a trivial note, my father tells me that back in the 60s/70s him and his friends called the quartet “The Itch” because the fabric on the seats were very itchy according to him.
Also, the building to the left housed The Reception House where my parents had their wedding reception in 1980. This establishment has ever since inhabited the building where “Villa Bianca” previously was, further up Northern Blvd.