The Fresh Pond Diner lasted to about two years ago, when it was demolished, along with the garden center on the corner to build the Commerce Bank which is there now.
I surprised there was no way that the building could be altered for a new use. It just surprises me that they had to tear a less than 20 year old building down. You would think it would have been less expensive to alter the existing builing, but I guess not.
Well hopefully they do the same thing at the Ridgewood Theater, as I think it’s the same owners. I don’t think they need a building permit to just renovate their auditoriums. Apparently they keep the Jackson in about as good a shape as they keep the Ridgewood. Any repair is better than nothing.
Brooklyn Jim, thanks so much for your comments on the Bushwick Theater. I have to say that the Bushwick theater is actually THE theater that made me find this site back in 2003, so the RKO Bushwick is actually to blame. While it was actually the RKO Keith’s Richmond Hill Theater that got me somewhat interested in theaters when I was a kid (going to it long after it closed to movies, but as a flea market in it’s diamond in the rough condition), it was actually the Bushwick that made me find this site. I was always interested in the deteriorating, and in shambles theater passing on J trains on the el, and one day did a google search for the theater, and that search found this page and this site. I soon brought PKoch over too, as he and I used to exchange emails about theaters, Ridgewood, and other things, and knew he would enjoy this site too. So there you are. This theater brought both PKoch and I to this site….and I guess all of you are stuck with us, haha… You can blame the RKO Bushwick!!
Geez! Every person that has posted in this section has gotten it mixed up with the RKO Madison….including Warren! I just found this theater here today!
We talked about this theater a while back, but never knew it was added. Anyway, it must have been a REALLY small theater, as it’s location, next to the RKO Bushwick Theater is a very small triangle parcel of land, that currently is a flagpole area for the Acorn High School that is housed in the old RKO Bushwick Theater. I will get a photo of the lot one day when I am in Bushwick.
It’s good Lost Memory posted the link to the “real” Madison Theater in Ridgewood, because I think a lot of people will/have gotten confused….
Lost, this is totally on memory (a lost memory perhaps, haha), but if I am not mistaken it said “Madison Theater”. I am almost positive that it said “Theater”, and I don’t think it had RKO on it.
Now for this “Madison Theater” at Broadway and Madison in Bushwick. Is this that theater we were talking about way back when somewhere on the this site! Lo and behold, a theater I never knew was added! I will go look for it now! I remember we all talked about this a long time ago.
It looks great from the air, but as Ed says, that doesn’t preclude leaks in the roof, etc, but there were rumors that an entire wall was torn down. Of course, that “could” mean an interior wall was removed, such as the stage wall and procenium arch inside. You couldn’t be able to tell from the exterior. I wish someone would come up with interior photos. With all the controversy, you would think there would be some interior photos.
Here’s another view, more centered of the “RKO Flushing” side of the building:
Thanks so much Mike for that information. I was in the theater when it was first built, and couldn’t figure out how the layout used to be when I was there earlier this year.
Lost, it looks just like I remember it. I wonder how bad it must be inside after the flood. That part of Canal St was flooded pretty bad, as I have seen newscasts from in front of the theater. it wasn’t that good to begin with, so I can’t even imagine after the auditorium filled up with water. Like I said above, they were having a superbowl part in there a couple years ago when I went by (even though the theater was abandoned, it was still “usble”). I guess the had the football game on the screen.
Anyway, with mold and stuff, I doubt it is even usable for little things like that now. If they are having trouble with the beautiful Orpheum, I can gaurantee no one is paying attention to the Joy.
Great photos Ed! Thanks so much.
What does this photo say of the painted wall?
“RKO FLUSHING – The Finest Theatre in the…..”?
The Fresh Pond Diner lasted to about two years ago, when it was demolished, along with the garden center on the corner to build the Commerce Bank which is there now.
I surprised there was no way that the building could be altered for a new use. It just surprises me that they had to tear a less than 20 year old building down. You would think it would have been less expensive to alter the existing builing, but I guess not.
Where was the ROnkonkoma Theater, there’s no address listed.
The Merrick Cinemas is a well kept nice theater. That photo looks like someone took it quick riding past on the train!
Well hopefully they do the same thing at the Ridgewood Theater, as I think it’s the same owners. I don’t think they need a building permit to just renovate their auditoriums. Apparently they keep the Jackson in about as good a shape as they keep the Ridgewood. Any repair is better than nothing.
Warren, interesting find about the JH Airdome.
For some reason, your link still don’t work, the whole thing is not hyperlinked because there are spaces in the url.
Ooops, I meant 2004, not 2003.
Brooklyn Jim, thanks so much for your comments on the Bushwick Theater. I have to say that the Bushwick theater is actually THE theater that made me find this site back in 2003, so the RKO Bushwick is actually to blame. While it was actually the RKO Keith’s Richmond Hill Theater that got me somewhat interested in theaters when I was a kid (going to it long after it closed to movies, but as a flea market in it’s diamond in the rough condition), it was actually the Bushwick that made me find this site. I was always interested in the deteriorating, and in shambles theater passing on J trains on the el, and one day did a google search for the theater, and that search found this page and this site. I soon brought PKoch over too, as he and I used to exchange emails about theaters, Ridgewood, and other things, and knew he would enjoy this site too. So there you are. This theater brought both PKoch and I to this site….and I guess all of you are stuck with us, haha… You can blame the RKO Bushwick!!
Geez! Every person that has posted in this section has gotten it mixed up with the RKO Madison….including Warren! I just found this theater here today!
We talked about this theater a while back, but never knew it was added. Anyway, it must have been a REALLY small theater, as it’s location, next to the RKO Bushwick Theater is a very small triangle parcel of land, that currently is a flagpole area for the Acorn High School that is housed in the old RKO Bushwick Theater. I will get a photo of the lot one day when I am in Bushwick.
It’s good Lost Memory posted the link to the “real” Madison Theater in Ridgewood, because I think a lot of people will/have gotten confused….
Lost, this is totally on memory (a lost memory perhaps, haha), but if I am not mistaken it said “Madison Theater”. I am almost positive that it said “Theater”, and I don’t think it had RKO on it.
Now for this “Madison Theater” at Broadway and Madison in Bushwick. Is this that theater we were talking about way back when somewhere on the this site! Lo and behold, a theater I never knew was added! I will go look for it now! I remember we all talked about this a long time ago.
It looks great from the air, but as Ed says, that doesn’t preclude leaks in the roof, etc, but there were rumors that an entire wall was torn down. Of course, that “could” mean an interior wall was removed, such as the stage wall and procenium arch inside. You couldn’t be able to tell from the exterior. I wish someone would come up with interior photos. With all the controversy, you would think there would be some interior photos.
Here’s another view, more centered of the “RKO Flushing” side of the building:
View link
The Nokia Theater booking has slowed down a little. When it first opened, they had bookings just about every night. Now they are more spread out.
Thanks so much Mike for that information. I was in the theater when it was first built, and couldn’t figure out how the layout used to be when I was there earlier this year.
The only bad thing about this theater is that I believe you have to pay the Universal Studios parking to go to this theater.
Does anyone know where that theater Robert mentions was? Robert, perhaps you will add it?
Bronx-boy. Yes, it has become terribly suburban. Sprawl is everywhere.
When will your book be coming out?
Ken, it doesn’t look “too bad” in there. Apparently the Orpheum suffered much worse.
Any current news of the repair of the Saenger?
Lost, it looks just like I remember it. I wonder how bad it must be inside after the flood. That part of Canal St was flooded pretty bad, as I have seen newscasts from in front of the theater. it wasn’t that good to begin with, so I can’t even imagine after the auditorium filled up with water. Like I said above, they were having a superbowl part in there a couple years ago when I went by (even though the theater was abandoned, it was still “usble”). I guess the had the football game on the screen.
Anyway, with mold and stuff, I doubt it is even usable for little things like that now. If they are having trouble with the beautiful Orpheum, I can gaurantee no one is paying attention to the Joy.
What’s the latest on the Suffolk? it’s been a while since I have heard anything on the progress (or non-progress).
Danio, that’s because it was, and still is more of a “mom and pop” type of place.
I know it’s a little late to ask now, but what exactly was a “Theater tour”?
Jeana, they still show old movies at the Boulton Center on Main St…. But it’s mostly a perfroming arts center now.