LeRoy Theatre

The LeRoy Theatre was downtown Mineola’s second tier theatre operating in the shadows of the Select Theatre. Both were built by the Hooks family. Robert T. Hooks, Sr. had previously operated one of the early silent movie theatres in downtown Mineola in 1912 and before opening the Select Theatre which celebrated its 100th birthday in 2020. Hooks sold the Select Theatre in 1928.

But the Hooks got back in the movie business when oilman Robert T. Hooks, Jr. bought back the Select Theatre in 1933. He also opened the LeRoy Theatre on January 4, 1937. It was named the “LeRoy” for LeRoy Bickel who was the franchise owner of Select Pictures Corporation and a friend of the Hooks. The Hooks had established the Select Confectionery as a hybrid snack bar for the Select Theatre and a candy store for those not going to a movie. Sometimes, patrons bought their snacks at the Select Confectionery and would carry them to the LeRoy Theatre.

The LeRoy Theatre operated as a second-run family-oriented theatre showing kids films and westerns. The LeRoy Theatre appears to have ceased operations after the April 29, 1953 showing of Jackie Robinson in “The Jackie Robinson Story”. After being vacant for three years, it was retrofitted for a clothing store.

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