The Ritz was owned and operated by Isadore Brotman, my grandfather. My mother worked at the theater and ran the soda/ice cream bar. It is located near Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. They ran specials for the college students so they could view movies for a nickel or a dime. IT was the place where many romances began, some even ending in marriage!
It was closed and renovated into an apartment building. It is still standing. Up until about 8 – 10 years ago it housed a beauty salon in the front of the building.
The unique thing about the theater was the “cry room”. This was a place mothers could go to watch a movie if their children or babies began crying. They watched, the child was comforted, and everyone watched in peace and quiet not to bother the other patrons.
The Ritz was owned and operated by Isadore Brotman, my grandfather. My mother worked at the theater and ran the soda/ice cream bar. It is located near Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. They ran specials for the college students so they could view movies for a nickel or a dime. IT was the place where many romances began, some even ending in marriage!
It was closed and renovated into an apartment building. It is still standing. Up until about 8 – 10 years ago it housed a beauty salon in the front of the building.
The unique thing about the theater was the “cry room”. This was a place mothers could go to watch a movie if their children or babies began crying. They watched, the child was comforted, and everyone watched in peace and quiet not to bother the other patrons.