77th Street Theatre
2184 Broadway,
New York,
NY
10024
2184 Broadway,
New York,
NY
10024
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I remember this theater closing in 1950, when it was turned into a supermarket. I was seven at the time, and it was the first time I was aware of a movie theater closing. A disorienting feeling to a seven year old.
In the 1980s it became a sporting goods store. Most recently it was a COSI restaurant and the original Ruby Foo’s Restaurant. The entire blockfront is scheduled for demolition this fall (2011.)
The Office for Metropolitan History’s building permits database lists a permit for a project at 2182-2186 Broadway issued in 1913. A two-story brick theatre and stores on a lot 55'x130' was designed by New Jersey architect Fred Robbin Jr., for an Eva J. Coe.
I read somewhere that this theatre was either designed by Thomas Lamb or was an existing structure renovated into a theatre designed by Thomas Lamb.
The Stoddard, or Standard Theatre, was on 90th and Broadway. It too became a “Garden Market”. My grandmother lived accross Broadway and I clearly remember the marquee. I heard that the Stoddard lacked air conditioning and would close during the summer.
Two photographs of the 77th Street Theatre that I took in July 2003:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/533314321/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/533218506/
I have seen this picture shown so many times over the years. It is always to highlight what television did to the movies.