Lakewood Theatre
6120 Motor Avenue SW,
Lakewood,
WA
98499
6120 Motor Avenue SW,
Lakewood,
WA
98499
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Found a photo from 1937 here:
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The main sticking point is the rent. The theater could never survive at $7,000 a month for rent! The rent should only be $1,500 a month. This wonderful little theater needs to be open!
There is a GREAT letter to the editor in today’s News Tribune:
Lakewood, unite to save landmark theater
by Christine Gould, Lakewood
Published: February 28th, 2006
As a 40-year resident of Lakewood, it breaks my heart seeing the Lakewood Theater disintegrate year after year before my very eyes.
While I realize this edifice is in desperate need of repair and building code upgrades, I do not understand why the citizens of Lakewood haven’t rallied together in order to save such an important part of our local history. Surely, the Norton Clapp family who opened the Lakewood Center in 1937 is as saddened as I am watching this historically significant structure deteriorate.
There are many families who have resided in Lakewood as long as I who have the financial means to contribute toward such a worthy cause. Even though many of us less fortunate souls struggle to make ends meet, individually we could each find a few dollars to spare in an effort to save our wonderful theater.
Look how popular the Tacoma Grand Cinema has become in the last few years; it is refreshing to see unusual movies not normally shown at the “big box†chains. We, too, could have our own version of the Grand, one that would help revitalize Colonial Center and give our city a “heart†once again.
Here is a list of the handicap stuff that would need to be done here (and it is not much):
EXTERIOR:
Exterior ramp to the entrance doors
INTERIOR:
Handicap bathroom on main floor (regular bathrooms are upstairs)
Ramp up to the right side of stage
Widen one exit door behind stage to accomodate wheelchairs.
I recently discovered that my movie-fanatic brother-in-law had looked into leasing this space. He agrees with you, Ken, on the price, and he says it needs handicap-accessible upgrades and other updates as well. Too bad. It always makes me sad to see it just sitting there. Guess we know why, though …
The rent they want is way too much: $7,000 a month for a single screen theater!
Still available for lease from First Western Commercial Real Estate.
Does anyone know the current status of this theater? I loved going to movies there as a child, and I still enjoying driving by it. It’s such a pretty building. For a place that seemingly sits vacant, it has been kept it good shape.
Theater is located at 6120 Motor Avenue. Built in 1937, it features separate glassed-in smoking room and cry room in the balcony.