Belvedere Theatre
1346 Columbia Drive,
Decatur,
GA
30032
1346 Columbia Drive,
Decatur,
GA
30032
2 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 34 comments
The Belvedere Theatre opened its doors on September 17, 1964 with Andy Williams in “I’d Rather Be Rich”.
Twinned in the 1970s, the Eastern Federal Corporation chain operated the Belvedere Theatre throughout much of the late-1970s and into the first half of the 1980s. This lasted until 1986 when it became part of the Chappell Cinemas chain, and would eventually become a $1 discount house. Also, during its Eastern Federal run, its policy switched from first-run to second-run in the early-1980s.
The Belvedere closed as a second-run discount house on August 21, 1988 with “Red Heat” at Screen 1 and “Bad Dreams” at Screen 2.
Once abandoned for a couple of years, the Belvedere then reopened its doors in 1990 as an adult house, and lasted until its closure in the Spring of 2009.
The building is still there back behind the Autozone and former A&P at the back of the strip center. https://goo.gl/maps/sCf7W9saP6PPdjy78 The burnt out space is the portion demolished in the middle of the strip. The taller boxes out back were the old theaters. There’s a private strip club in the ‘boarded up’ spaces to the right of the theater. Not sure if they took over the theater too or not.
Currently the location of a boarded up strip mall. I assume the original theater was demolished.
This opened in 1964. No ad found.
We sometimes work for the landlord and we’ve heard from him that the theater hasn’t received much, if any, damage as a direct result of the fire. It sounds like everything to the left of the burnt out space suffered most of the smoke damage. I guess there’s an ongoing arson investigation, and until that’s resolved no work can be done to clear the site or repair the adjacent buildings which could be trouble.
Here is the damage to the strip center. The theater did not burn down but probably sustained smoke and water damage.
www.flickr.com/photos/jfb57/4752285707/?addedcomment=1#comment72157624401106496
I took the picture on Easter Sunday and have just figured out how to load it on my computer and post it.
I’m afraid this theater may have burned down today:
View link
The article doesn’t specifically mention the theater, but then again, as J.B. above has shown, the theater didn’t even have a sign any more.
If it’s gone, what a shame…but then again, maybe good riddance and start fresh, considering the history.
It’s pretty crazy that J.B. just posted today saying “Here is how the Belvedere looks now” about 5 minutes after the call came in to the fire department (according to the article).
I’m not saying, but I’m saying!
Here is how the Belvedere looks now.
www.flickr.com/photos/jfb57/4739882827/in/photostream/
I seem to remember seeing E.T. and the Evil Dead there in 1982. Anyone remember seeing those, or am I thinking of the wrong place?
I definitely remember my Dad buying the Evil Dead tickets for me and my brother because we were too young. That movie, silly at it was, scared the hell out of us.
R.I.P MAC “atlplayer”
TO MY GREAT FRIEND GONE TO SOON!
This man was a great friend to have as anyone of us could tell you.
Him and his family are the perfect ideal neighbor and friend.
I have known Ad,Mac,Mark,Mink for over 20 years.
I have had some great moments shared with them threw the years.
I am glad to say that I am still intouch with the family.
We all got so much we could say about this family
I dont know where to begin.
We could start in D'Ville. Mac was rolling in the Super Clean BMW,he loved that BLAUPUNKT cd changer.
Mark was racing that Mighty Max with a 20" Sub Woofer in the bed of the truck,the box was so big it took about four guys to lift it.
Ad was always manageing the boys and the business,and what a fine job she did at that.
So as life went by we seen this family have success within education,business,family,friends,etc.
I remember the day’s we use to hang out at Belevedere running up the stairs because the film broke,and Mark was quick to fix the problem.
Or the time I got to watch “LEAN ON ME” which was playing on the screen,The atmosphere was AMAZING
And all the times we would go to HOOTERS"all drums extra wet extra crispy,curly fries and cold beer",Steak and Shake,Pop Eyes man the list goes on and on,life was never dull hanging out with this family.
I still remember the time Mac And I “mainly me lol” tilled up Ad’s entire yard at her house,man there was so many rocks and that hard clay ground I was about to pass out,meanwhile mac was on the porch kicked back giving directions.
We all have so many GREAT things to say about MAC and this family.
So I will close by asking all the friends of MAC and this family, to keep them in your prayers as I will do the same.
ALWAYS GREATFUL TO CALL YOU ALL MY FRIEND’S/EXTENDED FAMILY.
LOVE TONY
I rode by the theater yesterday and it is officially closed. The sign for the theater had been taken down and there is a for rent sign on the front.
You can check out the mug shot of this cold-blooded killer at the following link:
http://63.170.23.13:8081/inmatelookup
On April 25, 2008, at approximately 10:45AM, Dekalb County sheriffs arrested Demarcus McClarin, 28, and charged him with the April 9, 2008 murder of Mac Mayer and the armed robbery of his mother, Ad Lillard (Mayer). He had been released from custody on January 18, 2008 after having served more than three years for illegally receiving and transporting firearms.
He was arrested without incident at 1901 Corners Circle in Lithonia, Georgia.
I could not be at the funural, my wife Alice was there and I just had the pleasure of listening to the eulogy given by Mac’s friend Abe from his college days, thank you Abe! you’re words reminded us as to how special a person Mac really was and for some of us you gave the gift of getting to know a side of Mac that we unfortunately did not have the pleasure to experience on a personal level as you did.
Mac from you’re family in California, taken from all of us at the prime of your life we will always remember you, rest in peace we miss and love you always.
Love, JAV
It is such a awesome thing to see people say so many great things about such a great human being. My Grandmother was one of AD’s first friends when she came from Thailand and she also owned the original game room in early 90’s were Mac was sharpening his great pool skills. My grandmother stayed very close to Ad as my cousins started to develop a very close friendship with the boys.I spent alot of my youth in the game room with my grandma really just looking up to all these guys.My little cousin was 3 years old and knew mac as her first boyfriend and didnt have a problem telling Brenda that mac was her boyfriend. Seeing mac drive pass in the that silver 300zx always made everyones head turn and I remember as a lot of people did thinking damn thats is the baddest car in this whole city. Our prayers go out to the family. As some of you may know Decaturs finest and most of the local media really isnt being much help so anything we can all do to get the real story out would be great. The story has flip flopped in all local news and most of them dont seem correct. It seems like people are more interested in the fact that it was at an adult theater and not the fact that a great man was killed in cold blood. That theater did show adult movies but not hardcore xxx porn/orgys/gangbangs like how the media has been trying to portray for years.I am only sorry that i wasnt able to get to know some of you other great people that left kind words on this forum.
RIP MAC MAYER……The REAL KING OF DECATUR/ The REAL ATL PLAYER
Mac was like a big brother to me. Mac and my brother Maureese were best of friends growing up. I went to the funeral today and was reminded of how much fun we had growing up. Me, Mark, Mac, Maureese, Marco, Santis and a lot of others grew up playing baseball in the backyard, riding bikes, skateboarding, and shooting b b guns. Our hearts go out to the Mayer family and we miss Mac very much.
Thank you for you’re kind words T, Mac we love and miss you more than words can describe.
If you have any information on the individual that has committed this crime please contact the police and help bring peace to our family.
John
What the hell is the world coming to???
I was wondering the same thing. It sounds like he was.
was he killed in the hold up………
I have known the Mayer family for many many years. Mac, Mark, Ad, and Mink are very special people. Though some of you may not agree on what this theatre brings to the community, remember that they are doing just what everyone else is doing.. working to support themselves. They’re not on welfare, you and I as tax payers are not supporting them. They, unlike most immigrants to this country, are earning their keep and expressing their rights. If what they’re doing is illegal, they would have been shut down long ago.
Mac was a wonderful man, and a true chivalrist. Some of you should follow his example. He loved his mother, brother, and sister more than anyone will ever know. He was truly a family man. We’ll miss you Mac, and it’s been a honor knowing you the past 18 years.
Much love,
T
While listening to the news last night, there was a story about the owner’s son being shot while leaving the theater. Someone apparently tried to rob them.
There have been stories recently in the news of how the neighborhood is trying to shut the theater down but to now avail.
While listening to the news last night, there was a story about the owner’s son being shot while leaving the theater. Someone apparently tried to rob them.
There have been stories recently in the news of how the neighborhood is trying to shut the theater down but to now avail.
Here is a picture I took.
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