Melrose Theatre
2600 Franklin Road,
Nashville,
TN
37204
2600 Franklin Road,
Nashville,
TN
37204
3 people
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Loews
Architects: Joseph W. Holman, Thomas Marr
Firms: Marr & Holman
Functions: Restaurant
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Previous Names: Loews Melrose Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Melrose Theatre opened July 1, 1942. Although it is almost identical to the Belle Meade Theatre, the Melrose Theatre never attained the respect and reverence bestowed upon its twin sibling. Hopefully, that might change soon. With the Belle Meade Theatre slated to become a grocery store and upscale developers eyeing the Melrose shopping centre, maybe some benevolent enterprise or theatre chain (say Landmark) could restore the theatre to the status the Belle Meade Theatre enjoyed during it’s heyday. It has been converted into a restaurant.
Contributed by
Jack Coursey
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Recent comments (view all 112 comments)
No I had the chance to open the Loews Park Central a new quad in Dallas in 1977,but turned them down to stay in Nashville.That theatre is already gone also.
Yeah, i don’t blame you even then the theatre business could be fickled,Move out there and end up moving back when you get a “pain the Butt D.M.”.
Well both theatres did have the same D.V.I just did not want to move to Dallas.I did get promoted to Manager of this theatre about a year later.So they did not give up on me.
I had chances to manage,but as much as I loved the Business I had Bills to pay,moving to Athens for several months was enough,sorta find out real quick there is no family there if problems arise with say, your car and living off 99 cent Kroger pizzas after work got real old soon.Even with bonuses for selling discount tickets,it still wasn’t enough,being an Electrican pays alot better.But I often thought I should have moved to Columbia,S.C. which is certainly no Dallas and worked a Columbia MAll GCC i would have ended up somewhere in our circuit or divison.They never gave up on me either, when they see two theatre guys like us come up through the ranks you know plans are already being made down the road.At least a good manager should spot it I would think.
I saw many movies at this theatre. It was at N end of the Melrose Shopping Center; bowling alley at the S end. In later years there was an ice cream shop either next to or just couple doors down from the theatre.
Rode by there today all the storefronts have been gutted out and work has began on building the apartments.Taked to a guy who was working there said all the seats have taken out at some time but the auditorium will be left as is because it is in his words historical.The lobby area is to be a food place and the apartments will be built behind the buiding.The pool hall in the basement will remain there as long as they want the management said.The street marquee has new signs says The Melrose.Took some photos and will post soon.
New restaurant is opening in the old theatre, after some restoration:
http://nashvilleguru.com/34029/restaurants-openings-nashville#ixzz33nyxVbmV
December 25th, 1966 reopening ad as a Loew’s in photo section.
July 1st, 1942 grand opening ad also in photo section.
12/1/66 & 12/21/66 photos added credit The Tennessean Newspaper.