Loew's Spooner Theatre
961 Southern Boulevard,
Bronx,
NY
10459
961 Southern Boulevard,
Bronx,
NY
10459
5 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Loew's Inc.
Functions: Retail
Styles: Beaux-Arts
Previous Names: Spooner Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Spooner Theatre first opened in 1910 under local ownership, but was soon purchased by Loew’s Inc. who also operated the nearby Boulevard Theatre. Because the Boulevard Theatre was somewhat larger and also closer to busy Westchester Avenue, the Spooner Theatre was a subsequent-run house for its entire lifetime. In 1926 it was equipped with a Moller 3 manual 32 ranks organ. The Loew’s Spooner Theatre lasted into the late-1960’s or early-1970’s.
The building became a Kelly’s Furniture Store, then it was partly occupied by the inevitable Duane Reade Drug Store. By 2010, it was an El Mundo furniture store. In 2017 it became The Children’s Place clothing store.
Contributed by
Warren G. Harris
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Recent comments (view all 13 comments)
I walked by the Spooner this past week and noticed that Duane Reade has vacated the premises. There are still half a dozen retail stores occupying storefront space in the building, but the area that had been the main entrance to the theatre is now empty and available for rent/lease. If anyone’s interested, the realtor is Winick (www.winick.com). By the way, Duane Reade relocated just a few doors away at the intersection of Southern Blvd. and 163rd Street, in another historic old structure – the former Hunt’s Point Palace.
Passing the Spooner today, I noticed a “For Rent” sign in the window of Duane Reade.
I went into the old Loew’s Spooner this morning. It is now a department store named ‘El Mundo’. What used to be the balcony is now opened and full of cheap furniture. The amazing thing is that the bathroom for Ladies is almost completely intact. It’s hidden behind a curtain but the old door is there and it looks almost the same as when I saw it in 1965! There’s also two old columns that have tragedy and comedy figures on them downstairs. It’s bittersweet to see what’s left of what was a beautiful theater.
Great picture of Kelly Furniture with LOEWS SPOONER vertical sign still on it.
I recently paid a visit to El Mundo which is located in the former Spooner. I walk up stairs to the mezzenie area which was full of furniture and noticed that there was another staircase so I decided to go up and take a look. as I went up I noticed that the marble wainscoting was unpainted unlike the lower levels. When I got to the top I was in an area just infront of the projection booth and behind the balcony full of beds. You could see the entire auditorium from up there. I was shocked to see that it was mostly intact. The seats were all gone but and it was in very poor shape due to leaks and general neglect. It was painted a deep red. It must have been quite a theater. The Chester was more impressive to see abandon but this is far more intact. It appears that El Mundo only uses the lobby and the back of the main level as a sales floor and uses the rest as storage. I snapped a photo with my camera phone, its not great but it gives you some idea.
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Thanks for the photo Anothony P.
The Loews Spooner was a great place to see a movie with its big screen, wonderful sound system, and opulence. I saw many films at this theater and in its sister theater the Loews Boulevard. These theaters lit up Southern Boulevard.
I remember that when I was ten I went with my parents and a neighbor couple to Southern Boulevard for New Years Eve 1951. First we had dinner at a Chinese restaurant and then went across the street to the Loew’s Spooner to see An American in Paris. Or, it could have been at the Loew’s Boulevard, just up the street on Southern Blvd; which ever had the Chinese restaurant across the street.
The building is now almost entirely gutted on the third floor.
It’s now The Children’s Place.