Actual address is 32-34 S. Laurel Street. Currently owned by Riverfront Cafe LLC % Yilmaz, which owns the Bridgewater Pub. Purchased for $56,000 on April 20, 2009.
Sack’s Shoes – a fixture in downtown Bridgeton for years- is noticeable in the picture I posted. They are currently located at 34 N Laurel Street – and have been so since at least the mid-1950s – so the Majestic could possibly have been located on Laurel Street. However, it’s definitely possible that Sack’s has moved since this picture was taken. Either way, the Majestic was almost certainly open for business by 1925 or so.
Ogren Construction, the firm responsible for the Levoy Theater construction/restoration project has been cited by OSHA for “not properly supporting the structure and digging too low.” Story here:
http://www.nj.com/cumberland/index.ssf/2011/07/ogren_construction_cited_by_os.html
I was just past the site of this drive-in over the weekend. Appears abandoned. Weeds are growing high and the sign is missing its inserts. Guess those greedy heirs didn’t make out so good marketing the property.
I asked the Levoy Preservation Society if the theater’s facade was going to be rebuilt like the original. Here is their answer: “yes Scott, the facade will look like the original 1920’s version. The Levoy had multiple face lifts over the course of the last century, and early on the design team and the board of directors chose to reconstruct the facade in the exact likeness of the one from a 1927 photo we have.”
The above was from the Levoy Millville’s Facebook page. It is heartening to note that 65% of the structure remains intact and they say they will go forward.
IN light of the speculation and rumors that pervade the internet, We would like to give you what REAL information we do have regarding the partial collapse of the Levoy Theatre this past Monday. We are very fortunate to have escaped this collapse with one one injury and thank the first responders and other concerned citizens who aided during the situation.
While there are preliminary reports as to what the cause of the collapse may have been, no conclusions have been reached and dozens of professionals have been (and will be) examining the site for answers. Knowing the cause may help to relieve some of our curiosity, however, it will not provide any solution for moving forward, and so we must take that upon ourselves.
The Levoy is insured for many things, including catastrophes such as collapse. We have high hopes for a successful claim on this front, and anticipate that there will be no net affect to the cost of the project.
In the interest of the community at large, the City of Millville, and the thousands of donors and supporters of this project, the Levoy Board has chosen to pursue completion of the project with the full support of the City. Current status includes inspections of the collapse by engineers, insurance adjusters, city officials and more – to determine the feasibility and best course for removal of the collapsed portions of the building. Further studies will indicate what, if any, damage may have occurred to the remaining 65% of the structure. Safety is our foremost concern, therefore removal of debris and securing the building (and adjacent properties) to avoid further collapse is our priority. This phase should commence as soon as the inspections are concluded.
The Levoy Gala on February 12, 2011 is still on and we look forward to seeing you there with more news. Please see our Events page for more information if you would like to contribute or attend.
Once we have more information available to us, we will pass that along to you.
Looks like the Borough of Glassboro purchased this property on 4/20/2007 for $420k. Actual address is 100-108 E. High Street. This theater has been shuttered for years with the front entrance (sort of) boarded up and no signs of any real activity. The building appears solid and secure, but there is no telling what it looks like inside. There is an interesting remark on the record of a previous sale (on 11/7/2003 for $270k) that states “Usable”, which sends the imagination reeling with the possibilities. If anyone is interested in an up-to-the-moment picture of this property, please let me know (I drive past it all the time.)
Status should be changed to DEMOLISHED.
Well, sad news for this one. Drove past a few nights ago and this classic theater was turned into a fenced-off pile of rubble. Great job, Glassboro!
Actual address is 32-34 S. Laurel Street. Currently owned by Riverfront Cafe LLC % Yilmaz, which owns the Bridgewater Pub. Purchased for $56,000 on April 20, 2009.
Article here about former Peoples Theater building up for sale.
http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20120319/NEWS01/303190024/Millville-music-store-building-sale
Sack’s Shoes current location seems to be too large to be the same one in the picture. Wonder where this theater was located?
Sack’s Shoes – a fixture in downtown Bridgeton for years- is noticeable in the picture I posted. They are currently located at 34 N Laurel Street – and have been so since at least the mid-1950s – so the Majestic could possibly have been located on Laurel Street. However, it’s definitely possible that Sack’s has moved since this picture was taken. Either way, the Majestic was almost certainly open for business by 1925 or so.
The structure still exists as the Bridgeton Evening News Building but is virtually unrecognizable as a movie theater, as Mr. Pedersen indicates above.
Capacity reportedly was 1540 patrons.
I posted a vintage pic of the sign.
Uptown Theater marquee lighting ceremony. Skip to the 6:00 mark for the action shots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGRkNp_FPSQ
Nice vertical!!!
Ogren Construction, the firm responsible for the Levoy Theater construction/restoration project has been cited by OSHA for “not properly supporting the structure and digging too low.” Story here: http://www.nj.com/cumberland/index.ssf/2011/07/ogren_construction_cited_by_os.html
I was just past the site of this drive-in over the weekend. Appears abandoned. Weeds are growing high and the sign is missing its inserts. Guess those greedy heirs didn’t make out so good marketing the property.
And now the drug store property has been vacant for a couple years. Good job, Audubon!
Rebuilding has begun, news story here: View link
I asked the Levoy Preservation Society if the theater’s facade was going to be rebuilt like the original. Here is their answer: “yes Scott, the facade will look like the original 1920’s version. The Levoy had multiple face lifts over the course of the last century, and early on the design team and the board of directors chose to reconstruct the facade in the exact likeness of the one from a 1927 photo we have.”
The marquee had been removed during construction. Not sure where is was stored or if it sustained any damage, though.
The above was from the Levoy Millville’s Facebook page. It is heartening to note that 65% of the structure remains intact and they say they will go forward.
To all of our Friends & Supporters:
IN light of the speculation and rumors that pervade the internet, We would like to give you what REAL information we do have regarding the partial collapse of the Levoy Theatre this past Monday. We are very fortunate to have escaped this collapse with one one injury and thank the first responders and other concerned citizens who aided during the situation.
While there are preliminary reports as to what the cause of the collapse may have been, no conclusions have been reached and dozens of professionals have been (and will be) examining the site for answers. Knowing the cause may help to relieve some of our curiosity, however, it will not provide any solution for moving forward, and so we must take that upon ourselves.
The Levoy is insured for many things, including catastrophes such as collapse. We have high hopes for a successful claim on this front, and anticipate that there will be no net affect to the cost of the project.
In the interest of the community at large, the City of Millville, and the thousands of donors and supporters of this project, the Levoy Board has chosen to pursue completion of the project with the full support of the City. Current status includes inspections of the collapse by engineers, insurance adjusters, city officials and more – to determine the feasibility and best course for removal of the collapsed portions of the building. Further studies will indicate what, if any, damage may have occurred to the remaining 65% of the structure. Safety is our foremost concern, therefore removal of debris and securing the building (and adjacent properties) to avoid further collapse is our priority. This phase should commence as soon as the inspections are concluded.
The Levoy Gala on February 12, 2011 is still on and we look forward to seeing you there with more news. Please see our Events page for more information if you would like to contribute or attend.
Once we have more information available to us, we will pass that along to you.
Does anyone have any pictures of this when it was the Locust?
Wonder how the heirs are making out marketing this property to potential developers??
View link
It collapsed yesterday. Looks like a total loss.
It seems architects Martinez + Johnson have experience with historic opera houses and such: View link
I hope this project comes to fruition.
View link
Looks like the Borough of Glassboro purchased this property on 4/20/2007 for $420k. Actual address is 100-108 E. High Street. This theater has been shuttered for years with the front entrance (sort of) boarded up and no signs of any real activity. The building appears solid and secure, but there is no telling what it looks like inside. There is an interesting remark on the record of a previous sale (on 11/7/2003 for $270k) that states “Usable”, which sends the imagination reeling with the possibilities. If anyone is interested in an up-to-the-moment picture of this property, please let me know (I drive past it all the time.)