Nickelodeon Theatre
1607 Main Street,
Columbia,
SC
29201
1607 Main Street,
Columbia,
SC
29201
4 people
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Circa 1968 photo as Fox Theatre added to gallery. Link with 1948 photo as State Theatre below.
https://www.historiccolumbia.org/tour-locations/1607-main-street
This is a great downtown art house theater and a huge improvement on the prior Nickelodeon location. About 75% of the movies that they screen would not be shown in town otherwise.
Reopened in July 1984 with two screens and a video game arcade.
It is such a tragedy ,such shortsighted stupidity,that Columbia threw away all the fine downtown theaters. This small remnant IS a wonderful asset to downtown and the community . It is a labor of love and an oasis in a desert. My wife and I,gladly contribute to this institution.
This reopened as Fox on August 28th, 1962 with West Side Story. Grand opening ad in the photo section.
I posted the 1936 grand opening ad as State in the photo section.
Attended screening of 3 INDIE documentaries in new space. A pretty good venue. The feeling of a REAL theater is a treat. Downtown Columbia has real potential.
Got a tour last eve,of the balcony space. It will be so great when done. WE did our part with a contribution yesterday.Unlike the downstairs space,it is clear that this once was a REAL theater. The general mgr is enthusiastic and inspirational. THIS place is a real asset for the community. It is no Byrd,but still a treasure.
The last remaining theater on Main Street, thank goodness the Columbia Film Society saved it. I got to see it before the renovation, the old projectors were still there plus other items from days gone by. The Nickelodeon has now moved into a 99 seat theater with the next phase being to restore the upstairs (balcony) second screen theatre which will seat around 200. The lobby and ticket booth have been restored as well and a new retro marquee that is currently being installed with Nickelodeon on each side and Nick on the front, looks great!
This is from Columbia city council minutes on 11/8/06:
MAP AMENDMENT / TEXT AMENDMENT â€" FIRST READING
B. 1605-07 Main Street, TMS# 09014-10-15; rezone from C-5 to C-5, -DP. â€" Approved on
first reading.
No one appeared in support of or in opposition to the request.
Upon motion by Mayor Coble, seconded by Ms. Sinclair, Council voted unanimously to give first
reading approval to the Map Amendment for 1605-07 Main Street, TMS# 09014-10-15; rezone
from C-5 to C-5, -DP
C. 2626 Stratford Road, TMS# 11415-03-01; rezone from RS-1 to RS-1, -DP. â€" Approved
on first reading.
Ordinance No.: 2006-077 â€" Amending the 1998 Code of Ordinances of the City of
Columbia, South Carolina, Chapter 17, Planning, Land Development and Zoning, Article
V, Historic Preservation and Architectural Review, Division 4, Landmarks, Sec. 17-691,
Buildings and site list, © is amended to add the following: 2627 Stratford Road and
1607 Main Street â€" Approved on first reading.
No one appeared in support of or in opposition to the request.
It seems like most of the photos were taken in the late 2006 and through the first six months of 2007, going by the titles on the marquees in the theater pictures, but it’s hard to be any more specific than that. Chuck said the building has been bought by the Columbia Film Society, but the retail business may still be there.
When the Googlemobile drove by the retail business was folding, “going out of business” signs on the windows.
Here are some ads for “To Kill a Mockingbird” at the Fox:
http://tinyurl.com/2jswb3