RKO Keith's Richmond Hill Theatre
117-09 Hillside Avenue,
Richmond Hill,
NY
11418
117-09 Hillside Avenue,
Richmond Hill,
NY
11418
25 people
favorited this theater
Showing 101 - 125 of 427 comments
I understand what you’re saying, Luis V, about “transportation hub”, but I’m also thinking in terms of the Q-55 and Q-56 bus lines. I wouldn’t call the J train an also-ran. I know the Air Train serves an important function, but, to me, it is ridiculously and obviously indirect. A more direct solution (first proposed in August 1974, but shot down because of environmental concerns about Forest Park) would have been to revive the LIRR Rockaway line from 63rd Drive in Rego Park to JFK Airport.
The LIRR Richmond Hill station closed on March 13, 1998, but is still there, and LIRR Montauk Branch trains still operate past it from Jamaica to Long Island City. I don’t know if the biker bar on the east side of Hillside Avenue between the LIRR station and Myrtle Avenue is still there, or the MASH outlet clothing store.
Downtown Richmond Hill has been, still is, and will always be, magical for me.
It’s funny, I never quite thought of this area as a “Transportation Hub” though I suppose at one time (when the LIRR station was still open) it could have been perceived as one.
The Q-10 bus on Lefferts is less important since the Air-Train opened. The LIRR station is long closed and abandoned. And, oddly, the J Train (an also ran of NYC subway lines) has a station at 121st Street rather than at Lefferts Blvd where is obviously should have been. I remember hearing tales about Jamaica Avenue being originally an Indian Trail which became the main east-west route back in the 1800’s. Stage Coaches plied the route when it was a dirt road. Ah, the past…….
I don’t really see much of a chance of resurrection in this part of Richmond Hill. The reality is that this area has been dormant for the last 40 years (since the Keiths closed). Sure, Jahns, Triangle Hofbrau, the bowling alley and Salerno’s were still there, but this area never had a “spark”. It wasn’t Austin Street in Forest Hills, Steinway St. in Astoria or Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights. It was even a poor cousin to Liberty Avenue on the South side of Richmond Hill. I see this area slumbering for many more moons unless, of course, the RKO Keith’s somehow gets resurrected back into a theater/performing arts space that brings significant numbers of people back to this forlorn corner of Queens.
Hopefully, but what’s going to revitalize that downtown Richmond Hill transportation hub area of Myrtle-Jamaica Aves.-Lefferts Blvd.-Hillside Avenue ? Americans and immigrants of Mexican and Indian descent ?
I was about to write that “at least Salerno’s is still there” until the recent comment rudely informed me otherwise. This is really a time to feel badly about this neighborhood. Hopefully, the Richmond Hill will not meet the same fate.
It’s all so sad, guys.
Indeed the interior of the Triangle Hofbrau was gutted in 1998 for the medical office to be built. I fear that the RKO Keith’s Richmond Hill will suffer a similar fate in the not too distant future.
George
Somehow, I doubt that they are both open at the same time! :–)
It’s Both!!!! Pool Hall on one side and medical offices on the other!
I thought the Hofbrau was medical offices….I guess a pool hall is better than it being medical offices!
Oh, and the Triangle Hofbrau is a pool hall! :–(
Italian/Indian restaurant? Jahn’s gutted, The Keith’s future uncertain, indeed, these are trying times.
Indeed LuisV that was Salerno’s Restaurant next to the RKO Keith’s Richmond Hill. How sad to hear it is gone. Your updates are much appreciated. Yes, time marches on but sometimes not for the better.
George
Just passed by the theater this morning. It just looks so sad with the missing lettering. Jahn’s has a banner up that says that it is soon to become a Mexican Restaurant. The interior has been totally gutted. It looks so much smaller than I remembered it.
Finally, on the other side of the theater, is a restaurant that I’m pretty sure was Salerno’s for most of the last few deacades. It now has another Italian name (which escapes me, but is similar to Salerno’s) and get this……It is an Italian/Indian restaraunt. Yes, you read that correctly. I’m not sure if half of the space is Indian and the other half Italian or whether this is a new trendy fusion menu. I doubt that. Alas…..time marches on!
Agreed !
If nothing else, George T., it would be a first step, which is the start of EVERY long journey !
Yes my good friend Peter.K the resource provided by Lost Memory is greatly appreciated. I will faithfully follow the instructions to obtain my membership. Perhaps membership with the Richmond Hill Historical Society will lead to landmarking of the RKO Keith’s Richmond Hill.
George
Thanks, L.M. Good of you !
Go for it, George. Or try googling Richmond Hill Historical Society to get its e-mail address.
Indeed my good friend Peter.K. Your help is much appreciated. I will inquire about membership immediately.
George
George Tobor, here is an e-mail address for you :
The site master’s name is Dennis Doyle.
Indeed that is a true bargain. My friend Peter.K, where may I obtain further information about membership in the Richmond Hill Historical Society?
George
Glad you LOL, LM. Thanks.
I’m not spending $ 20 for a quarterly newsletter.
$ 20 for one e-mail address ? That’s worse than $ 10 for the 100 year anniversary Ridgewood Times !
Indeed these are all marvelous suggestions. Perhaps a membership with the Richmond Hill Historical Society would give some insight into their operations. How can one obtain membership? Contact information for Ms. Freel would be much appreciated.
George
Would joining the RHHS help the RKO Keith Richmond Hill Theatre, though ?