Ridgewood Theatre
55-27 Myrtle Avenue,
Ridgewood,
NY
11385
55-27 Myrtle Avenue,
Ridgewood,
NY
11385
31 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1,151 - 1,175 of 2,835 comments
Good thoughts, Lost Memory and Bway. Thanks.
And I forgot to mention concerts for the orchestra level. That is another avenue that could be used on off nights.
Obvious a demographic study would have to be done. On one side of the Ridgewood Theater is a lot of Polish and Eastern Europeans. On the other side of the Ridgewood Theater is a lot of Hispanics. Perhaps something that caters to one of those two ethnic groups? Then of course there could be regular performances to attracting people in from other areas. One of the biggest problems with that though is parking. Public transportation is good in the area, yet, many people would still want to come by car.
Then you have the hipsterification that is happening in nearby Williamsburg and Bushwick. Perhaps also something catering to that group. Perhaps a combination of all of the groups mentioned. A performing arts theater doesn’t have to only cater to one group. Each night there could be something else.
Then, that would be the Orchestra level (made back into one theater downstairs). Upstairs in the already section off balcony the three theaters up there could continue to show movies. Perhaps a small 4th theater could be opened up in the unused space on the 2nd floor, or the 3rd floor bringing the total to 4 screens for movies….and the live theater area downstairs in the recombined orchestra level….which on off nights from performances could perhaps also show a movie.
The Ridgewood Theater’s biggest problem prior was not that there isn’t a demand for movie patronage, the problem was that the place wasn’t really maintained well, and in terrible need of upgrade.
All that having been said, what would be the most appropriate live acts to now have in the Ridgewood Theatre ?
Great point, Bway!
George, the Ridgewood started as a live Vaudeville Theater. Live performance in the Ridgewood would not be “something new”, it would actually be a return to it’s original intent. There would be nothing wrong with having live performances there. What would you prefer over that, another drug store instead?
On the marquee, the owner posted a banner stating “retail space available.” Even though it would be great retaining all the screens for movies, I speculate the owner feels it’s not profitable enough. Therefore, live theater or reuse by an art group is pretty ideal. I understand how you feel. The bottom line is that anything is better than a typical retail establishment to inhabit the theater, and alter it further. Some architectural details are visible to the eye, and some are obscured awaiting restoration. We need to find a respectful tenant or two.
Please Please do not add a live theatre on the bottom. The Ridgewood community is so large now-a-days that it would then be a killer to get a ticket for a showing. Please don’t kill the theatre’s history of showing movies and just add in some new idea… just rebuild the freaking theatre and continue where the theatre left off.
Sorry for the rant, just my 2 cents.
Bway, I like your optimism : “the beginning of the future”, and getting the right path open.
You’re most welcome, NativeForestHiller (Michael). The only group that comes to mind was a group of high school kids in Bushwick doing Shakespeare, but I have no contact person for them.
Thank you both for your wishes! Considering its endangerment, a most ideal scenario economically would be film screenings on the upper floors, and utilizing the 2 ground floor theaters for live theater or a related arts group. I feel the future will be somewhat positive or very positive.
Thank you so much for trying to save our beloved Ridgewood Theater NativeForestHills. I remember how much work you put into the Trylon some years back, and hope that the Ridgewood will be a success story. We are either in the final hours of the Ridgewood, or the begining of the future, so hopefully we can get the right path open.
I commend your effort, Michael, but, unfortunately, can think of no trustworthy contacts to offer you.
I am assisting owner Tony Montalbano, and hoping to find a theater/art group who would be interested in leasing the 2 ground floor theaters. Please network the idea with trustworthy contacts. I need all the help I can get, and would appreciate your help. That is HOW EVERYONE CAN HELP WIN this effort. You heard right! My e-mail is Thanks! – Michael
Correction. The Ridgewood’s phone number, (718) 821-5993, has a message saying it has been temporarily disconnected. That sounds worse than temporarily closed.
When one calls the Ridgewood, one hears a message saying that it is “temporarily” closed. So perhaps the second floor will re-open soon as a cinema. At least, I hope so.
Very sad about the Ridgewood Theater finally closing.
Regarding the location of the Starr St. pretzel factory (mentioned earlier), I received the following information from one “Bobby I.” :
“The pretzel factory was located on the even side of Starr Street, between Wilson and Knickerbocker, closer to Knickerbocker Avenue. I lived on Starr between Wilson and Central, and my brother and I used to buy pretzels and sell them on Knickerbocker Avenue. We used to pay 2 cents per and sell them one for 3 cents or 2 for a nickel. There used to be a candy store around the corner from St. Joseph’s church and after 9:30 mass on Sundays, we would go to the candy store and buy all loose candy for a penny or two.”
New York Dave,
There is a diner/coffee shop diagonally across the street from Corato’s pizza, about two doors to the left of the candy store. There was a catering hall to the right and under the el of the former Maasbach’s restaurant during the 70’s called Pelegrinos', which was a popular catering hall that I beleive closed in the 80’s, hope that jogs the memory.
The name sounds familiar, but I’m not sure if that’s the place.
I remember a typical diner setup in the front (booths, counter) with a dining room in the back. The menu was typical diner fare with, perhaps, a couple of German dishes as was typical in the neighborhood at the time (over 30 years ago). The place was definitely under the tracks. Does that sound like Maasbach’s?
I think you may be thinking of Maasbach’s. They closed in the early 2000’s and was taken over by Corato’s Pizza which was across the street. Coratos recently closed the fancier dining room area of the restaurant, and the corner part became a Washington Mutual Bank. Coratos is still in the other part of the old Maasbach’s.
Any news?
Is yet another piece of old Ridgewood about to slip through our fingers?
Panzer65 wrote “It should either be saved and restored to a historic performing arts and film venue….” I’ll take that part of your suggestion anytime. May the majority of citizens on this forum & in Ridgewood win out. Know of anyone who’s interested?
It does appear they definitely want to put several smaller screens on the top floors and only rent/divide the 1st floor, unless of course they can get a great offer for the entire space. There would be no need to destroy the building since it pretty much is already vast open space, much easier to renovate than go new construction on a lot that size.
Perhaps it was inevitable that Ridgewood’s 91 year consecutive run would end was inevitable, although many beleive it not,a friend told me the Saturday matinée drew many,it was not enough to save it. The receipts for a weekday show drew a profit as low as $42.Although I feel as many do, seeing a movie at a theater is far superior to viewing a home movie,it was a victim of the times.It appears that many older establishments of yesteryear cannot survive modern society.With greedy developers wanting more dollars, amusement venues such as single screen theaters,drive ins,bowling alleys, arcades and even Coney Island amusements, not to mention Jahn’s, Durow’s and St. Savior’s church cannot make a profit to survive.Even a trip to the
ballpark,which are being redeveloped due to the profit margin,which was once a playground for all, is leaning towards the rich, with smaller capacity and higher prices.So now the building trend is now to create high priced condos, and no entertainment venues.It appears new York is now becoming a city for the very wealthy, with no respect for the very places that made it a great city for all to live in.The proposal to convert Ridgewood to a retail and movie establishment should be rejected, echoing the very fate that the Madison had some years earlier.It should either be saved and restored to a historic performing arts and film venue, or destroyed altogether for retail use in the name of profit.
For all you Ridgewood Theatre fans, here is a press round-up.
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Also, pick up a copy of the Forum West newspaper, for another great article. It is not available online currently. Please share your thoughts, concerns, & comments.