Strand Theatre
212 Monroe Avenue NW,
Grand Rapids,
MI
49503
212 Monroe Avenue NW,
Grand Rapids,
MI
49503
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Gillingham and Smith Theatre Enterprises circuit had plans drawn by Detroit architect C. Howard Crane with superivisng architects Williamson & Crow as they created the new build Strand Theatre in 1915. The style was Adam. The theatre was bathed in green with mahogany wood accents.
The Strand joined Gillingham and Smith’s Monroe, Idlehour, and Original Vaudette theaters. The opening of the Strand occurred on September 18, 1915 with Clara Young Kimball in “Marrying Money.” The Strand was not able to make the transition to sound. In 1929, the building was sold to the Prange family and was remodeled to the Planos of George L. Stone becoming a new Prange’s Store opening on May 7, 1930.
Granted that you cannot see much of the Strand Theatre in this picture but the 1922 city directory confirms it was next door to H.M. Brock & Co.
GR Public Museum collection:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ed5ltbVWUjY/TZ84dLOo8EI/AAAAAAAAMIg/DSKBrKMXou0/s421/0000668.jpg
The trade journal The Moving Picture World reported in its issue of August 21, 1915, that the Strand Theatre on Monroe Avenue in Grand Rapids was scheduled to open on Labor Day.