Old Town Theater
815 1/2 King Street,
Alexandria,
VA
22314
815 1/2 King Street,
Alexandria,
VA
22314
8 people
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Sad to see Old Town Alexandria movie theater converted. I actually worked there in early 80’s during my last years of high school.
3-8-19 news- what will occupy the long-vacant Old Town Theater in Alexandria: a Patagonia retail store.
The outdoor apparel and equipment retailer will open in the 8,500-square-foot space, Patagonia spokesperson Corley Kenna confirmed to the WBJ. While Patagonia gear is sold at dozens of other locations around Greater Washington, this will be just the second dedicated store for the company in the region after Georgetown.
The retailer is keeping its plans for the store pretty quiet for now, but did say plans on a 2020 opening. https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2019/03/08/heres-whats-going-into-the-old-town-theater-in.html
from the company’s website: Opening March, 2020 Taking great care to preserve its beautiful character and value as a performance venue, we’re pleased to announce the spring opening of a new Patagonia store in Alexandria’s beloved Old Town Theater at 815½ King Street. It’s our first store in Virginia, and we’re really excited to join the community. We realize what it meant to see the theater close back in 2014, but we intend to keep a lot of its energy alive by providing a steady stream of events, films and presentations, as well as a gathering place to support environmental nonprofits working to defend clean water and air, protect wildlife and divest from dirty technologies. The stage remains a stage with sound and lighting, and the balcony provides a rotating gallery for the work of area artists and a place to host meetings and events. The space devoted to product will hold a beautiful selection of quality clothing and gear for the whole family.
2010 article with circa 1929 photo. Eddie Darling in “The Rainbow Man”, which was a pre-code musical drama film. Added to gallery with credit in case link goes dead.
https://alextimes.com/2010/03/out-of-the-attic-richmond-theater/
Hello,
I’m not sure who to ask of this, but I recently purchased an old paper from a garage sale out here in Oregon that was originally from the Alexandria Gazette Friday December 27 in 1918 that details a show in the Richmond Theatre “The One Woman” by Thomas Dixon, in the Grand Theatre “The Girl from Huylers”, and in the Ingomar Theatre “Rosemary Climbs the Heights” staring the (then) beautiful young actress Mary Miles Minter. It only has a little bit of tearing at the top, it’s completely legible, but I don’t know how to make sure it’s completely authentic. Either way, it’s an interesting find. It even has an article on the back telling people that if they continuously can’t call certain people, then it’s because the other person keeps forgetting to properly hang up the telephone. Would anyone here know of a person who might want this find?
1964 photo as the Richmond Playhouse added courtesy of Spade Lively.
A two-page article about the Richmond Theatre appeared in the September 7, 1929, issue of Motion Picture News. It featured before and after photos of the front and rear of the auditorium, showing the changes made during the recent renovation of the house. The project was designed by architect Harry A. Brandt.
The theatre’s status should be changed to “open”.
http://www.oldtowntheater1914.com/home.html
ABC 7 is stating the theater will become a vaudeville type ‘live’ theater.
Support for the Old Town Theatre Website
And here was the theater rental info, including screen size:
Old Town Theater is available for:
Corporate Meetings / Business Meetings Conferences / Conventions Events and Parties Birthday Parties The Theater features:
A 400+ stadium seat venue High Definition projector 16' by 22' screen computer imagery DVD, VCR, & Cable Digital Surround Sound Remote internet access Microphones: Wireless & Stand The Theater’s Restaurant Serves:
400+ Lunch and Dinner buffets Beer and Wine on trays stablized in the seat’s cupholders Menu
Theater website has disappeared but here was the history on it: The original permit to build, dated April 16, 1914, was for the purpose of “moving pictures, bowling alleys and billiards”, named the Richmond Theater, it was the first permanent theater constructed in Alexandria. The owners reportedly operated a vaudeville theater on the first floor and a dance hall on the second floor until around 1932. Around 1932, the theater closed for renovation, the second floor dance hall was removed, and a theater balcony constructed. The Richmond was used as a motion picture and vaudeville theater until sometime in the 1940s when vaudeville was phased out, and the theater was used exclusively for motion pictures. The Richmond operated as a motion picture theater until it closed in approximately 1972, when the city movie houses were failing to draw local residents. In 1976, the National Puppet Center applied for a special use permit to use for the performances and study of the puppet arts and it is not known how long the theater may have been used for this purpose. In 1980, the theater was renovated and re-opened as a double theater under a new name, the Old Town. The Old Town operated until October 1999 when it was again closed. On Valentines 2002, the Old Town was opened after renovations were completed bringing the bathrooms up to ADA approved code, bringing the balcony back, replacing the seats to a comfortable level and adding lighting and sound systems. The screen was removed opening the stage for live plays and a comedy venue. In December 2002, the theater was closed. The Old Town Theater has reopened as a multi entertainment center featuring all forms of the performing arts including film, theater, music and children shows.
Managing Partner
Roger Fons
heard on tonight’s news that the theater is closing this week due to low attendance and increased parking fees in Alexandria.
I love the Richmond Theater,original name of the Old Town. My first job was as an Usher there in 1964,.75 hr. My first paycheck was a great big $7.50 cash. I lied about my age, I was 15 said I was 17. I worked with a great guy named Robert Taylor who was about 25 years old then and we had a great time working there, free movies, spit ball fights back in the lobby during the movie, picking up girls, man what a great life it was then. I used to walk to the Richmond when I was 5 to see movies, I lived around the corner on Cameron Street(remember 1955’s “To Hell & Back” with Audie Murphy?)Man, I love that building and all the great memories!!!!
Here is a February 2008 photo of the Old Town exterior and here is a photo of the proscenium.
When the Old Town reopened after the renovations in June 07 a second screen was again in place.
According to the 1936 Film Annual Review, the Richmond at that time seated 750.
Opened again June 28th.
According to the theater website they are looking for extra volunteer help but it is anticipated that it will reopen by early May.
ALAS,this house is closed again.Efforts are being made to raise funds for repairs needed to reopen.
Fri eve.,enjoyed the new Harry Potter.Sat in the balcony.Seats pretty comfy.If the Byrd seats were that good,I could die happy.Great eats,treats and beverages avail.The owner had a chat before the film.Audience voted on which film he should book next.That was cool.The help were just excellent.Very motivated and acted as if they were glad you were there.The place needs new HVAC and owner explained his problems.Place deserves supportNot a movie palace,but definitely a great time warp experience.It is a fine asset for OldeTowne.
According to the website, the Old Town is showing movies again.
The Old Town is now being used for live performances.