I lived around the corner from the Utopia on 80th Road and grew up seeing movies there. My dad was good friends with Ruth and we would stop in to say hello when walking our dog in the evenings. In the mid 70’s, while attending Jamaica High School, I worked as an Usher there. It was purely old school. I wore a white shirt, black bow tie and tuxedo pants while I escorted people to their seats, flashlight in hand. Back then smoking was on the right and we still showed shorts and cartoons. I would jingle as I walked around since I was the only source of change for the vending machines in the lounge. The Utopia was a last vestige of a bygone, simpler and kinder time. It is sorely missed.
I lived around the corner from the Utopia on 80th Road and grew up seeing movies there. My dad was good friends with Ruth and we would stop in to say hello when walking our dog in the evenings. In the mid 70’s, while attending Jamaica High School, I worked as an Usher there. It was purely old school. I wore a white shirt, black bow tie and tuxedo pants while I escorted people to their seats, flashlight in hand. Back then smoking was on the right and we still showed shorts and cartoons. I would jingle as I walked around since I was the only source of change for the vending machines in the lounge. The Utopia was a last vestige of a bygone, simpler and kinder time. It is sorely missed.
BTW 80th Rd, is in Jamaica Estates, 11432.