Avon Theatre

2217 South Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19146

Unfavorite 2 people favorited this theater

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Green & Altman, Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.

Firms: Tunis & Genther

Nearby Theaters

Avon Theatre

The Avon Theatre opened in 1924 seating 617. It was located on South Street at 23rd Street. The architectual firm was listed as Tunis and Genther. By 1941 it was operated by Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp. The theatre closed in 1956. Since closing it was used for various retail stores. It has been demolished.

Contributed by Chuck

Recent comments (view all 6 comments)

Jayfar
Jayfar on February 10, 2006 at 11:01 pm

Not demolished, it’s a supermarket since about 1950. Once a Food Fair, now the South Square Market.

View link

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on January 12, 2008 at 6:01 am

Here is an expanded version of the PAB photo posted above, specifically from the Irvin Glazer collection:
http://tinyurl.com/26kzh4

TheALAN
TheALAN on April 19, 2014 at 7:32 pm

In the overview, Chuck says the Avon closed in 1956. Jayfar comments that it’s been a supermarket since about 1950 and PAB says it was converted to a supermarket c. 1950. Does anyone know, for a fact, when the Avon Theatre closed and when it was converted to a Food Fair supermarket?

TheALAN
TheALAN on April 19, 2015 at 12:46 am

Well it’s been a year and no one has any additional information on this theater?

Kieren
Kieren on July 27, 2017 at 11:33 pm

I’m not sure this was the same address as the grocery store, which is still there. A 1949 photo at 23rd and South looking west seems to show the grocery store there, with the “B” sign, after the theater: http://libwww.freelibrary.org/digital/item/zoom/41431. A google maps search of 2217 South hits on the tree-covered property between the CR Ettinger studio and the South Square grocery. https://www.google.com/maps/place/2217+South+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19146/Shea’s Performing Arts Center.9453546,-75.1791652,3a,75y,350h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sTCGtyFFBHlH8ZrW6hbOmhQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c6c640b83c2ff1:0x70ab072834d72f55!8m2!3d39.9455195!4d-75.179239

JayFarrell
JayFarrell on June 17, 2018 at 1:29 pm

Sadly, contrary to my previous post, the Avon has been gone for a long time, per historic maps I’ve seen since. The supermarket is in a completely separate building, dating back to at least 1875. I was previously going on incorrect information and photos from the Philadelphia Buildings and Architects site, which stated it was converted to a supermarket in 1950; apparently Irvin Glazer was mistaken.

You must login before making a comment.

New Comment

Subscribe Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.