Garden Theatre
160 W. Plant Street,
Winter Garden,
FL
34787
160 W. Plant Street,
Winter Garden,
FL
34787
7 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 40 comments
We shall all stay tuned. How did this beloved theatre end up with “severe financial problems”? Who was the CFO?
Very unfortunately, the Garden Theatre closed abruptly in early October, 2024. The management and board cited severe financial problems The building is owned by the City of Winter Garden, and the city manager has stated that the theatre will return. Stay tuned.
Check out the new photo I just submitted showing a movie projected on the screen.
Here is my picture from June 2011.
Saw a picture of the Garden Theatre in a recent Retirement Magazine. It was included in an article full of accolades about Winter Garden as a premiere retirement city. It stated that the theater had been restored, which I first thought was a typo for remodeled. Since the exterior didn’t look too much like something from the
30's. But after seeing the various pictures posted, and the disaster it looked like in the late80’s, I’d say they did a fantastic job. The only detail I would have changed, was installing the two adjacent storefront doors at either end of their respective window treatments. Like the 1949 picture above seems to have them situated. Might have been overlooked, or not consistent with current codes.Picture of film being projected on the Garden Theatre’s screen, October 2, 2010 View link
Great photo!
A 1949 picture of this theatre, when it was known as the Winter Garden Theatre, is at this link:
View link
I received 2 CT notices tonight…one was the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden FL and the other was the former Winter Garden Theatre in Jamestown NY.
Thanks Irv.
The new website address for the Garden is www.gardentheatre.org
Hmmmm, MPol: I’m looking at the schedule and reading WEST SIDE STORY, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, MY FAIR LADY, ANYTHING GOES, GREASE, DREAMGIRLS, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, JAWS, ANIMAL HOUSE, MONTY PYTHON & THE HOLY GRAIL, BLAZING SADDLES, 2001, BRAVEHEART, NORTH BY NW, CASABLANCA, BEN HUR, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA DEVIL WEARS PRADA, MAMMA MIA, MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE, CORPSE BRIDE, TOOTSIE, THE GRADUATE, WAG THE DOG, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF A SPOTLESS MIND, and THE GODFATHER 1, 2 & 3. Hardly a children’s schedule. There are selected children’s films that will be matinee attractions.
Isn’t it funny that most of this summer’s Classic Film Series are more for kids?
Chuck1231: The 1988 photo you posted is of the Gem Theatre, 31 S. Main Street in Winter Garden.
Oddly enough there is a theatre in western NY in Jamestown NY called the Winter Garden Theatre. It is still standing, but has been closed for a very long time and nobody knows what its future is though I would like to see it retored. Thought I had a buyer from Chicago, but it fell through. It’s listed on CT, too.
Looks like a neat thatre, both inside and out.
Lost and Irv: These are wonderful paintings and thanks for bringing them to everyone’s attention! I still hope to see this theatre,in person, someday as plans were changed to see the Garden this past March.
Irv: I enjoyed our theatre phone chat and look forward to seeing the beautifully restored Garden Theatre in March.
Irv: Lost is a HE and I’ll let you know when I find myself in central FL next winter!
I would have loved to met Lost Memory when he/she was here. Also, I will look forward to meeting Patsy.
Lost: Yes, a fine looking theatre! Congrats to Irv and to all of those who worked on this theatre in central Florida. I do hope to visit this theatre and meet Irv next winter.
Irv: Congratulations! I only wish I were going to be in WG then! I do have a friend who lives in the Winter Garden area in the winter months so I will certainly inform her of this upcoming and exciting Feb. 1 grand opening event! And if you have any photos you would still like to send to me the address is still
The Garden will open again on February 1, 2008, as a performing arts center. Classic movies will also be run twice a week. The gala grand opening is set for February 29. See www.wgtheatre.org or call 407-877-GRDN for information.
Irv: Sorry…I didn’t realize that you posted the first day of March for the grand opening. If there is any change in this date, please advise.
Can anyone provide current restoration photos?