Lititz Theatre
45 E. Main Street,
Lititz,
PA
17543
45 E. Main Street,
Lititz,
PA
17543
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Chertcoff
Architects: Paul A. Martin
Previous Names: Lititz Community Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Lititz Community Theatre opened on March 21, 1935 for the Harry Chertcoff circuit. The opening movie was Claudette Colbert in “The Gilded Lilly”. It was still open and operated by Chertcoff in the 1950’s and closed on January 23, 1965 with the animated feature “Hey There, It’s Yogi Bear” & Peter O'Toole in “Becket”.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
The Lititz Theatre was torn down in the late 1950’s or early 1960’s due to the expansion of the bank building next door. I was never in this theatre, but I remember it had the typical rectangular marquee so many theatres had in those early days. The Chertcoff Chain was headquartered in Lancaster. In 1950 they built and operated the King Theatre on E. King St. in Lancaster. That was a very large one floor theatre with over 1,300 seats. They also operated the Strand Theatre in Lancaster, which was a second run theatre. They also operated theatres in Mt. Joy, Pa., Elizabethtown, Pa, Steelton, PA, Lebanon, PA, Camp Hill, Pa. Gradually all the theatres were closed and some demolished. Even the King Theatre has been converted to apartments for the elderly, but the marquee and lobby remain.
I want to correct some of the info about the Lititz theater on main.
The actual theater itself was torn down and now is a parking lot.
The original lobby and entrance is now an art gallery and is a part of the ground floor of the former hotel Sturgis which is now apartments.I share the other half of the ground floor.I have a coffee shop there.Back in the 40’s my space had a resturant in it called Irwins.The original muirel that was hand painted as a border around the top of the lobby walls is still there.
Renewing my link. Thanks Mr.Coffee
Here is a photo circa 1940s:
http://tinyurl.com/nyrfn3
Was the Steelton theater the Elton? (Or something like that?)
Street View is set one door too far east. There is now a toy store where the entrance to the Lititz Theatre used to be.
It was open from 1935-1964 per below history. Purple Robin Reserve gift store is the current tenant.
2019/1970 photo & description added credit Lititz Historical Foundation
Lititz: Then & Now—Not even a terrible fire in 1995 could stop the mighty Hotel Sturgis from being a downtown icon that thankfully remains today. Originally built in 1867, aside from a hotel, the building has served many purposes, including the Lititz Theatre from 1935-1964. In the early 1970s, the upper levels were converted to apartments. Left: 2019; right 1970.
11 photos added including the auditorium, marquee removal, fire, then & now.
Opened on March 21st, 1935. Grand opening ad posted.
Closed on January 23, 1965 with Hanna-Barbera’s “Hey There, It’s Yogi Bear” and Peter O'Toole in “Becket”.