This is very disheartening. It appears the Ridgewood’s reign may be coming to an end. That can’t possible be a renovation schedule (like I said, just run as a 4-plex while renovating each of the 5 theaters).
I still predict the Atlas Terminal will be the final nail in the coffin the Ridgewood. It will be a sad day for me, as I have so many memories in that building. I hope Peter is proven right, and I am proven wrong about the fate of the Ridgewood after Atlas opens, but I am not optomistic. The current schedule is not encouraging.
The Chinese Restaurant is still there, currently is called “Ming’s House”. Staples is in the old Play World store. Duane Reade is in the old Rockbottom’s store, which took over the original location of Howard’s Cafe and Bar, and the store next to that to make one big store. Howard’s Bar moved over to the Sunwave Theater location. There is also a dry cleaner in the shopping center. This past year or two, Waldbaums took over the stored near to it, including the original location of La Strada Italian Restaurant (the pizza place you mention?). La Strada then moved next to Howards Cafe, into the old SunWave Theater location.
Warren, that’s either a good sign or a bad sign. Either they are renovating it, or they are “in trouble”, and switched to an evening only format. I fear for the latter, as it being a 5 plex, they could easily close one theater at a time completely to renovate, and still keep the remaining four open.
Ed, I have to agree. While I have only seen three movies at the Empire, I must say that my experiences there those time were pleasant each time, and my comments on the place would probably mirror yours quite closely.
Ah yes, it could be your browser or the settings on your computer.
When I just leave the pointer over the photos, the location comes up in a little white box.
Warren, here’s the theater link. If you hold the mouse pointer over the photos, without pressing, it will automatically give the address of the location of the theaters:
Ed, it can give hope, however, after reading through the Yeadon Theater’s section, it said that the plan was to: “The current plan mentioned above to save the lobby building including facade didn’t include any specific reuse for performing arts center.”
It appears even their “restoration”, just like the Keiths was only saving the lobby, not the main building.
Of course then, now they had this “suspiscious” fire that destroyed the lobby part of the building…..
The real problem is that everything here is hearsay, as no current (or even semi-current photos) of the interior have ever been posted. There are conflicting reports. My “information” is based on what others have said here, or elsewhere about the condition of the interior of the theater. Some reports are that the interior has been widely damaged and destroyed, both through demolition, and through ravages of neglect for two decades.
So which is it – I don’t know, but most of the reports say that the interior is damaged almost beyond recognitioin. Again, this is only based on what others have said…not visual proof.
So really though – does anyone know of ANY current or even semi current (10 years or more ago) photos of the interior available, either personal or online?
I probably agree with Warren, however, demolition photos can be very interesting. I am still kicking myself from the mid-90’s, when they were demolishing the old abandoned Loews Broadway Theater at the Myrtle and Broadway elevated station. The entire interior was opened up and visible from the station platform. Even the chandeliers were still hanging inside. The procenium arch was still intact, as were it’s corintian columns on either side. I missed about 3 trains while peaking in the building as the forth wall was removed.
If only I took some photos. It was a sad day that day, but now I only wish I could look at the photos.
I passed through and past this theater a bout a year or two ago when I was in the Las Vegas area. It’s a small little town in what seems like the middle of no where.
Myrtle Ave is busy at night. The part of Myrtle Ave is a bit seedy from about where the Ridgewood Theater is towards the Madison Theater location, It’s been like that since the 70’s. However, going in the opposite direction from the Ridgewood Theater, it’s gets better and better block by block. Myrtle AVe is still a thriving biusiness district, and starting from about the Ridgewood Theater’s block and onwards towards Glendale.
As for the condition of the Ridgewood, it hasn’t changed at all since the 1980’s. It’s been sort of “seedy” looking when it was still one theater even! I used to go there all the time as a kid, and into my teens. Throughout the late 80’s and into the 90’s it was always a sort of “stick to the floor” theater. Once I was old enough to take the subway “alone” (without adults), my friends and I “abandoned” the Ridgewood for the Forest Hills theaters, like the Continental and the Midway.
The last time I was in the Ridgewood Theater was in 1991 to see “Problem Child” with John Ritter. The outside looked just like it does now, it really hasn’t gotten worse, it “always” looked like that, at least since the 70’s. Like I said, it was “seedy” looking when I was a kid in the 70’s already, and when it was only one theater (those multicolored mosaics were there then already near the ticket booth). The Madison was always the “fancy” theater back then, and if you wanted “clean” you went to the Oasis on Fresh Pond Rd (where my mother always took me as a kid). The Ridgewood may be an old workhorse, but I always remember it as the dirtiest of all the theaters that were in the area, both inside and out, and again, that goes all the way back to the 70’s.
Ironic, that the “seediest” theater was the one that survived out of all the others. They were always able to keep the “Status Quo” in maintenance, but I do believe the Ridgewood may get a real run for it’s money once the Glendale Atlas Terminal opens. They may have to begin thinking about upgrades, I’m sure nothing was done on the inside since I was last there in 1991 either, as the outside looks just like it always did…
The big problem in general for New Orleans' economy is that about $4.5 billion of it’s economy was tourism. Without the tourists, the city will suffer immensely. They have to get the tourists back. But they can’t get the tourists back until the city is in order. But how can you get the city in order when there’s no money coming in from the biggest provider of dollars to the city, tourists. It’s a double edged sword.
They showed one of the swamp tour guys on TV this morning, and they just reopened the tours, as “some” tourists are beginning to come in. His business is only about 2-3% of what it used to be. How can people survive on that?
I agree with PKoch too. I have to say that I think the new color scheme of the Valencia is gaudy at best, however, to their absolute credit, they are maintaining a beautiful building. This is way better than the alternative. The “worst” of the Valencia’s problems is the color scheme or their is as chandelier hanging from the ceiling, and naked cherobs covered. The alternative? A pile of bricks at worst, or at best, the theater gutted for retail, with a drop ceiling placed in the auditorium, like so many other theater’s fates.
The plaster is all preserved, and has a coat of paint on it, keeping it in good shape. Paint color is just that, color. Everything important is still there….
Fans of the RKO Madison in Ridgewood, the Roxy in Manhattan, (and add any other theater you wish here) only wish the worst of their favorite theater’s problems was a bad color scheme or a chandelier “misplaced”.
Thank you Will for your comments. New Orleans was always a city I loved to visit, and I am sure it was sobering for your friend to see what the city looks like. I am sure it is just undescribable. I was there about a year and a half ago last, and was supposed to go this coming year, but of course that has been cancelled.
I hope to someday return, but I am sure it won’t be the same city I remember, or even a shadow of it. I can just picture the Joy and Saenger Theaters in my head from my walks down Canal St.
The Joy theater was in pretty sad shape even before this, I am sure now it is even worse (obviously), and unfortunately, since it was closed, no care is probably being given it now after this disaster. Who knows what is happening to the interior of that building as we speak.
Quote:Reading all of these posts has certainly stirred up a feeling of nausea, not quite on a scale with the destruction of Penn Station, but of similar quality.
I have to agree. The destruction of Penn Station is the destruction to end all destruction (perhaps the biggest mistake and vandalism ever done to New York). No theater can ever compare to the destruction of that beautiful building. However, I totally agree, what was done to the Keiths is also nauseating, even if only a few steps behind the destruction of Penn Station in Manhattan.
Unfortunately, I also have been having the same problem for the last week as Ron stated above. You can put a theater as common as the Chinese Theater, and it says “Ooops, Name not listed”. The site seems to have more problems than it did before, hopefully it will all be worked out.
Lost, what I think Patrick means by “guests” is that not everyone of the many members are signed in when they are on the site. For example, you want to check the new messages on some theater on the site, but you are at work, or some computer other than the computer you normally use. unless you sign in, you will not come up as “lostmemory”, you would come up of one of those “guest” people, even though you are a regular user. And most people will only sign in on a “strange” computer if they are going to make a comment, otherwise it doesn’t matter if they log in or not. But it doesn’t really matter, as they aren’t using any more or less bandwidth than if they were logged into their account. Many of these “guests” could be just random people finding the site, but really just picture many regular users all over the country, but not signed in.
….in fact, I was just a “guest” until I noticed I wasn’t signed in, because I cleaned out all my computer’s cookies today, so I just had to sign in. But…..if I wasn’t going to post anything right now, and I just came in to check updates….I would have come and gone here without even realizing, or thinking about signing in, and would have been one of those “guests”….
Thanks for all your work on the site. I have found similar problems to what others mentioned, mostly the “slow” or no response problems. If I make a long post or submitting a theater, that took a while to type, I have learned the hard way to either copy it before pressing submit (or typing it in WORD first), because it can bring a no response, and then when you click “back” it’s gone….
This is very disheartening. It appears the Ridgewood’s reign may be coming to an end. That can’t possible be a renovation schedule (like I said, just run as a 4-plex while renovating each of the 5 theaters).
I still predict the Atlas Terminal will be the final nail in the coffin the Ridgewood. It will be a sad day for me, as I have so many memories in that building. I hope Peter is proven right, and I am proven wrong about the fate of the Ridgewood after Atlas opens, but I am not optomistic. The current schedule is not encouraging.
The Chinese Restaurant is still there, currently is called “Ming’s House”. Staples is in the old Play World store. Duane Reade is in the old Rockbottom’s store, which took over the original location of Howard’s Cafe and Bar, and the store next to that to make one big store. Howard’s Bar moved over to the Sunwave Theater location. There is also a dry cleaner in the shopping center. This past year or two, Waldbaums took over the stored near to it, including the original location of La Strada Italian Restaurant (the pizza place you mention?). La Strada then moved next to Howards Cafe, into the old SunWave Theater location.
No. Pathmark’s old parking lot opens up into the Smithhaven parking lot, but not the mall itself. Seperate buildings and shopping centers.
Warren, that’s either a good sign or a bad sign. Either they are renovating it, or they are “in trouble”, and switched to an evening only format. I fear for the latter, as it being a 5 plex, they could easily close one theater at a time completely to renovate, and still keep the remaining four open.
Good article. I see you are quoted Warren!
Here’s a few more links that show the interior of the Empire:
This one is for the cafe in the balcony area:
http://radler.com/restaurants/timessq.htm
View link
And from upstairs looking out to 42 St:
View link
Thanks so much for your description rendres.
Ed, I have to agree. While I have only seen three movies at the Empire, I must say that my experiences there those time were pleasant each time, and my comments on the place would probably mirror yours quite closely.
Ah yes, it could be your browser or the settings on your computer.
When I just leave the pointer over the photos, the location comes up in a little white box.
Warren, here’s the theater link. If you hold the mouse pointer over the photos, without pressing, it will automatically give the address of the location of the theaters:
View link
Oh isn’t that special. Another glass monstrosity replacing something architectual.
Ed, it can give hope, however, after reading through the Yeadon Theater’s section, it said that the plan was to:
“The current plan mentioned above to save the lobby building including facade didn’t include any specific reuse for performing arts center.”
It appears even their “restoration”, just like the Keiths was only saving the lobby, not the main building.
Of course then, now they had this “suspiscious” fire that destroyed the lobby part of the building…..
The real problem is that everything here is hearsay, as no current (or even semi-current photos) of the interior have ever been posted. There are conflicting reports. My “information” is based on what others have said here, or elsewhere about the condition of the interior of the theater. Some reports are that the interior has been widely damaged and destroyed, both through demolition, and through ravages of neglect for two decades.
So which is it – I don’t know, but most of the reports say that the interior is damaged almost beyond recognitioin. Again, this is only based on what others have said…not visual proof.
So really though – does anyone know of ANY current or even semi current (10 years or more ago) photos of the interior available, either personal or online?
I probably agree with Warren, however, demolition photos can be very interesting. I am still kicking myself from the mid-90’s, when they were demolishing the old abandoned Loews Broadway Theater at the Myrtle and Broadway elevated station. The entire interior was opened up and visible from the station platform. Even the chandeliers were still hanging inside. The procenium arch was still intact, as were it’s corintian columns on either side. I missed about 3 trains while peaking in the building as the forth wall was removed.
If only I took some photos. It was a sad day that day, but now I only wish I could look at the photos.
I passed through and past this theater a bout a year or two ago when I was in the Las Vegas area. It’s a small little town in what seems like the middle of no where.
Myrtle Ave is busy at night. The part of Myrtle Ave is a bit seedy from about where the Ridgewood Theater is towards the Madison Theater location, It’s been like that since the 70’s. However, going in the opposite direction from the Ridgewood Theater, it’s gets better and better block by block. Myrtle AVe is still a thriving biusiness district, and starting from about the Ridgewood Theater’s block and onwards towards Glendale.
As for the condition of the Ridgewood, it hasn’t changed at all since the 1980’s. It’s been sort of “seedy” looking when it was still one theater even! I used to go there all the time as a kid, and into my teens. Throughout the late 80’s and into the 90’s it was always a sort of “stick to the floor” theater. Once I was old enough to take the subway “alone” (without adults), my friends and I “abandoned” the Ridgewood for the Forest Hills theaters, like the Continental and the Midway.
The last time I was in the Ridgewood Theater was in 1991 to see “Problem Child” with John Ritter. The outside looked just like it does now, it really hasn’t gotten worse, it “always” looked like that, at least since the 70’s. Like I said, it was “seedy” looking when I was a kid in the 70’s already, and when it was only one theater (those multicolored mosaics were there then already near the ticket booth). The Madison was always the “fancy” theater back then, and if you wanted “clean” you went to the Oasis on Fresh Pond Rd (where my mother always took me as a kid). The Ridgewood may be an old workhorse, but I always remember it as the dirtiest of all the theaters that were in the area, both inside and out, and again, that goes all the way back to the 70’s.
Ironic, that the “seediest” theater was the one that survived out of all the others. They were always able to keep the “Status Quo” in maintenance, but I do believe the Ridgewood may get a real run for it’s money once the Glendale Atlas Terminal opens. They may have to begin thinking about upgrades, I’m sure nothing was done on the inside since I was last there in 1991 either, as the outside looks just like it always did…
The big problem in general for New Orleans' economy is that about $4.5 billion of it’s economy was tourism. Without the tourists, the city will suffer immensely. They have to get the tourists back. But they can’t get the tourists back until the city is in order. But how can you get the city in order when there’s no money coming in from the biggest provider of dollars to the city, tourists. It’s a double edged sword.
They showed one of the swamp tour guys on TV this morning, and they just reopened the tours, as “some” tourists are beginning to come in. His business is only about 2-3% of what it used to be. How can people survive on that?
John, are you a relative of the “Basils” of this theater, or is this just a cooincidence?
I agree with PKoch too. I have to say that I think the new color scheme of the Valencia is gaudy at best, however, to their absolute credit, they are maintaining a beautiful building. This is way better than the alternative. The “worst” of the Valencia’s problems is the color scheme or their is as chandelier hanging from the ceiling, and naked cherobs covered. The alternative? A pile of bricks at worst, or at best, the theater gutted for retail, with a drop ceiling placed in the auditorium, like so many other theater’s fates.
The plaster is all preserved, and has a coat of paint on it, keeping it in good shape. Paint color is just that, color. Everything important is still there….
Fans of the RKO Madison in Ridgewood, the Roxy in Manhattan, (and add any other theater you wish here) only wish the worst of their favorite theater’s problems was a bad color scheme or a chandelier “misplaced”.
Thank you Will for your comments. New Orleans was always a city I loved to visit, and I am sure it was sobering for your friend to see what the city looks like. I am sure it is just undescribable. I was there about a year and a half ago last, and was supposed to go this coming year, but of course that has been cancelled.
I hope to someday return, but I am sure it won’t be the same city I remember, or even a shadow of it. I can just picture the Joy and Saenger Theaters in my head from my walks down Canal St.
The Joy theater was in pretty sad shape even before this, I am sure now it is even worse (obviously), and unfortunately, since it was closed, no care is probably being given it now after this disaster. Who knows what is happening to the interior of that building as we speak.
Quote:Reading all of these posts has certainly stirred up a feeling of nausea, not quite on a scale with the destruction of Penn Station, but of similar quality.
I have to agree. The destruction of Penn Station is the destruction to end all destruction (perhaps the biggest mistake and vandalism ever done to New York). No theater can ever compare to the destruction of that beautiful building. However, I totally agree, what was done to the Keiths is also nauseating, even if only a few steps behind the destruction of Penn Station in Manhattan.
Thanks Greenpoint, so people can access it again, but they must have changed the page address since I posted that message. My link used to work….
Unfortunately, I also have been having the same problem for the last week as Ron stated above. You can put a theater as common as the Chinese Theater, and it says “Ooops, Name not listed”. The site seems to have more problems than it did before, hopefully it will all be worked out.
Lost, what I think Patrick means by “guests” is that not everyone of the many members are signed in when they are on the site. For example, you want to check the new messages on some theater on the site, but you are at work, or some computer other than the computer you normally use. unless you sign in, you will not come up as “lostmemory”, you would come up of one of those “guest” people, even though you are a regular user. And most people will only sign in on a “strange” computer if they are going to make a comment, otherwise it doesn’t matter if they log in or not. But it doesn’t really matter, as they aren’t using any more or less bandwidth than if they were logged into their account. Many of these “guests” could be just random people finding the site, but really just picture many regular users all over the country, but not signed in.
….in fact, I was just a “guest” until I noticed I wasn’t signed in, because I cleaned out all my computer’s cookies today, so I just had to sign in. But…..if I wasn’t going to post anything right now, and I just came in to check updates….I would have come and gone here without even realizing, or thinking about signing in, and would have been one of those “guests”….
Thanks for all your work on the site. I have found similar problems to what others mentioned, mostly the “slow” or no response problems. If I make a long post or submitting a theater, that took a while to type, I have learned the hard way to either copy it before pressing submit (or typing it in WORD first), because it can bring a no response, and then when you click “back” it’s gone….