Rialto Theatre
212 N. Pokegama Avenue,
Grand Rapids,
MN
55744
212 N. Pokegama Avenue,
Grand Rapids,
MN
55744
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This same building is now occupied by the Rapids Brewing Company. The building directly next door (to the right) was once the “Grand Theater”, owned and operated by Frank Gumm, father to Judy Garland. The New Grand closed the day before the Rialto opened. Rapids Brewing Company is a popular spot for the locals (and tourists) to gather, visit and have a good time. I’m hoping that they acknowledge (and embrace) their Rialto past, including the fact that Judy Garland appeared there when she returned to her hometown after the filming of the “Wizard of Oz”. It was the last time that she came home to Grand Rapids. If you look at the picture above, and compare it to pictures of it today, the visual proof is there, as well.
Would be great to see this opened to a theater group. It could be just be open in the summer months. Perhaps Showboat could of stayed in Grand Rapids if this wouldmof been possible.There is a theatre westbof us that does just that. I dont understand why someone didnt do thst. I realize we have the Reif Center, but how nostelgic would it be to have a place where adpiring people could do the scenery and do it thete way
The theater was still open in the late 70’s and early 80’s, I saw E.T. there as a little kid and that was in 1982