Pearl Theater
314 E. Main Street,
Buena Vista,
CO
81211
314 E. Main Street,
Buena Vista,
CO
81211
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Boxoffice, May 12, 1951: “Buena Vista, with a 1940 census of 779, is on its way to having two theatres. Unable to renew the lease on the Pine, John Groy is remodeling another building to house the Pearl, while Joe Delongchamp, owner of the Pine building, will operate that theatre”
Was the Pine renamed the Pearl? The 1949 Film Daily Year Book listed the Pine (200 seats) as the only theater in Buena Vista, and according to Boxoffice, Aug. 26, 1950: “Charles DeCastro has sold the Pine in Buena Vista to John Groy”.
Slightly elaborated/changed in the Oct. 14, 1950 Boxoffice: “BUENA VISTA, COLO. – Mr. and Mrs. Chad DeCastro, owners of the Pine Theatre and confectionery for the last 18 months, have sold both establishments to Louis Groy and Lawrence Wellborn of Saguache, Colo.”
The Pearl Theater has been closed for a number of years, unfortunately. And to Anthony’s comment above—the Unique Theater in Salida is no longer operating either.
The booth at The Pearl contains two Simplex E-7 projectors running 2 thousand foot changeover with Motiograph magazines and xenon lamphouses. It is also notable that the booth ceiling is extremely low, do to existing support beams. I stand 6'3" and had to stoop considerably when walking around the booth.
A 1985 view of the Pearl Theater in Buena Vista.
The information by Lost Memmory should be clarified: There are two John Groys in the Groy Family…John Sr. and John Jr.
John Senior is the actual current owner and he is the one who constructed it. It was named for John Sr.’s first wife, Pearl Hazard-Groy (now deceased), John Jr.’s mother. John Jr. manages the Comanche Drive In in Buena Vista. This theater was constructed in the remains of a defunct harware warehouse. It is a wonderful theater and anyone in the area should visit when it is open.
The Groy Family also owns The Unique Theater in Salida, Colorado and The Comanche Drive In which all still operate. They also owned and operated at one time: The Ute Theater, Saguache,CO, The Pines Theater, Buena Vista,Co, and the Groy Drive In, Salida,CO all of which are now closed.
Here are two recent photos:
http://tinyurl.com/fz68s
http://tinyurl.com/kkvr9